Identify the specific reasoning error in each of the following arguments by linking the short stimulus to its corresponding logical flaw description.
- Dr. Smith claims that our new diet plan is unhealthy. But Dr. Smith was recently fired from his job for being chronically late, so his criticism should be ignored.Rejects a claim based on the personal characteristics of the person making it, rather than addressing the argument itself.
- The new sci-fi movie is definitely the most popular film of the year because everyone is going to see it.Assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premise used to support that conclusion.
- I always wear my lucky socks when I play tennis, and I won my match today. Therefore, my lucky socks caused me to win.Concludes that one event caused another simply because the two events occurred closely in time.
- We should adopt the new tax policy. After all, a famous actor who has starred in many successful action movies says it is the best economic plan for the country.Relies on the opinion of a person whose expertise does not fall within the relevant domain.
Answer
The argument attacking Dr. Smith matches with rejecting a claim based on personal characteristics. The movie popularity argument matches with assuming the truth of the conclusion. The lucky socks argument matches with concluding causation from correlation. The tax policy argument matches with relying on irrelevant expertise.
Each argument represents a distinct, classic logical fallacy. The Dr. Smith argument is an ad hominem attack. The movie argument is circular reasoning. The lucky socks argument is a correlation-to-causation error. The actor argument is an appeal to inappropriate authority.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Identifying Common Logical Flaws