Fallacy Summary and Application

Fallacy Summary and Application

Leslie Stacks

MGT 350

University of Phoenix

Thomas Lalka

November 29, 2006

Fallacy Summary and Application

According to Bassham, Irwin, Nardone, and Wallace (2002), "a logical fallacy is an argument that contains a mistake in reasoning." Logical fallacies are put into two categories: fallacies of relevance and fallacies of insufficient evidence. Fallacies of relevance occur when the premise of the argument is irrelevant to the conclusion. A fallacy of insufficient evidence happens when the argument brings up points that are relevant to the conclusion, but do not have sufficient evidence to prove the conclusion (Bassham, et al, 2002). Fallacies seem to be good arguments, but when examined they are found to be arguing tactics used to persuade opinions.

Personal attacks are a form of fallacy of relevance. A personal attack is committed when someone rejects another person's argument, but they attack the person and not the argument.

Congressional portrait with U.S. flag in the backg...

U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts

Kerry Lee Bates pointing with Morro Rock in backgr...

A perfect example of a personal attack was when President Bush bashed John Kerry on ABC News. President Bush was being told about Kerry's plans for the future of Iraq. When the President was questioned about his plans his answer was, "Frankly I hear desperate voices all over the place on the Democrat's side about Iraq. We've got some saying get out. The person I ran against in 2004, Senator Kerry, said he wanted a date and time when we would withdrawal" (Kerry Responds, 2006). Instead of giving a straight answer, he chose to attack the Democrats and John Kerry. When decision making, people must be aware of the difference between a relevant argument and a personal attack. It is important to ask whether the argument address the problem or the person. This will help the person come to a good decision.

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