Writing Homework Help
Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College MOD3 CH5 Fallacies in Politics Discussion
Module 3: Discussion 2
Watch the second link on informal fallacies:
Fallacy Examples (Links to an external site.)
Search the media for informal fallacies instances and post one by copying the URL. Discuss the above examples and your own by writing a short post. Respond to two classmates.
DISCUSSION:
sara yousif
One of the most prevalent informal fallacies presented in the media is the slippery slope fallacy. A slippery slope argument rejects a cause of action by insisting that it will trigger a chain of reactions that result in an undesirable end. For instance, the media in question uses the slippery slope fallacy to demonstrate how being kept on hold by the cable company triggers other events such as anger which creates the need for blowing off steam which results in an accident. This advertisement is meant to validate the use of direct TV by rejecting the use of cable. Additionally, the slippery slope argument can be observed when one makes a claim such as “Today late for ten minutes, tomorrow late for an hour, and then someday you will simply cease to show up.” This fallacy is associated with validating a series of events in the absence of direct evidence that they will occur.
Ad Hominem is one of the informal fallacy captured in the media. This fallacy occurs when one person inappropriately attacks another or an aspect of a person making the argument instead of addressing their position or opinion. For instance, instead of the interviewer – in the media addressing Obama’s decision on the restriction of nuclear weapons, he attacks him by comparing him to the kid on the block who would not retaliate after being punched in the face. Likewise, a person can disqualify Marx’s theories about an ideal society by arguing that he spent his entire life in a library. Lastly, ad hominem can also be direct to membership in an institution or a group. For instance, one can disqualify the idea of recycling simply because it was a suggestion from many hippie communists.
necolas
This news article criticized a bipartisan group of senators who came together within the last week in order to help pass an infrastructure deal. The writer observed that the senators in question represent states that “This group predominantly comes from states that are overwhelmingly white. In other words, states with large numbers of people of color and big cities were mostly left out of the discussion.” They go on to state that four of the senators “come from states that are among the top five whitest states in the nation.” The conclusion reached is that the bipartisan group “does not represent the diversity of the nation’s economy, needs and people.” However, the other six senators represent states which are, on average, as diverse as the rest of the United States. Three of the senators, in fact, represent states that are on average more diverse than the rest of the United States. I would classify this as an example of Missing the Point, as an illogical conclusion was drawn from the initial premise.
Of the examples provided in the video, I believe Hasty Generalizations and Appeal to False Authorities are the most commonplace in modern media. Celebrity endorsements for products are more prevalent than ever, and the celebrities in question often have little to nothing to with the product itself. Name recognition is more important than relevance to the product being sold. Hasty Generalizations allow for companies to associate their products with stereotypes, both negative and positive, which make their target message more memorable. Consumers already have a preconceived notion regarding a stereotype and make a logical leap to the ones companies are presenting in their commercials.
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