Exercise 1.4.4. Find the fallacy, or fallacies, in each of the following argumen

Question

Exercise 1.4.4. Find the fallacy, or fallacies, in each of the following arguments. (1) Good fences make good neighbors. Therefore we have good neighbors. (2) If Fred eats a frog then Susan will eat a snake. Fred does not eat a frog (3) The cow moos whenever the pig oinks. The cow moos. Therefore the pig (4) A nice day is sufficient for frolicking children or napping adults. Adults are Therefore Susan does not eat a snake. oinks. napping. Therefore it is a nice day. (5) If my rabbit eats a hamburger, then she gets sick. If my rabbit gets sick, then she is unhappy. Therefore my rabbit gets sick. 34 1Informal Logic (6) If Snoozetown elects a mayor, then it will raise taxes. If Snoozetown does not raise taxes, then it will not build a new stadium. Snoozetown does not elect a mayor. Therefore it will not build a new stadium

Explanation / Answer

1. We don't know if we have fences or not, so how could we know about the neighbors?

2. Susan may eat a snake whether Fred eats a frog or not. There is no proof that one cause the other. Bad distribution of terms.

3. There is no proof of causation. The cow moos whether the pig oinks or not.

4. There is no proof of causation again. Adults may nap even on cloudy days.

5. This is called a non-sequitur reasoning: (1) then (2) then (3), therefore (2). The conclusion suggests that (3) causes (2) when the sequence of events says (2) causes (3). The sequence doesn't say (3) causes (2).

6. Snoozetown may raise taxes even if it doesn't elect a mayor.

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