Understanding Logical Fallacies

Understanding Logical Fallacies

Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. This worksheet assesses your understanding of common logical fallacies and your ability to identify them in various arguments.

1. Which logical fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself?

2. An argument that assumes the very thing it is trying to prove is an example of:

3. The fallacy of   occurs when a conclusion is not logically justified by sufficient or unbiased evidence.

4. When an arguer misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, they are committing the   fallacy.

5. A 'red herring' fallacy introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue.

6. The 'slippery slope' argument claims that a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related negative events.

7. Read the following passage and identify any logical fallacies present. Explain why you believe they are fallacies and what type they are.

"My opponent, Mr. Johnson, argues that we should invest more in public education. But how can we trust anything he says? He was caught speeding last month! Clearly, his judgment is flawed, and his ideas about education are just as bad. Besides, if we start spending more on schools, soon we'll be raising taxes on everything, and before you know it, our economy will collapse, and we'll all be living in poverty."

Match each logical fallacy with its definition.