Description

Discussion: Logical Fallacies

Consider a time when you were involved in a friendly debate over a topic or had a heated argument about something you are passionate about. You likely made a number of points to “build a case” for your viewpoint and perhaps even countered a point the other individual made by quoting facts or other evidence to show why their statement wasn’t valid. In the midst of such a discussion, have you ever heard the other person say something and think to yourself, “that detail is completely unrelated to the issue at hand”? In those moments, you might be confronting logical fallacies. It is important to understand this concept—particularly when you are developing your stance on an issue—and recognize some common tactics that people use (knowingly or not) to win their arguments. This understanding can help you detect your own and others’ biases, identify weak arguments, and improve your own judgment.

For this Discussion, you will identify and discuss a logical fallacy found in recent news or other media.

By Day 3

Post a 150- to 225-word (2- to 3-paragraph) explanation of a logical fallacy found in the news or other media. In your explanation, include the following:

• Identify a fallacy from a recent news article, advertisement, or other media.
• Explain why it is a fallacy and how it could be restructured or rewritten so it is no longer a fallacy.
• To support your response, be sure to reference at least one properly cited scholarly source.

Respond with at least 75 words (1 paragraph) each to two or more of your colleagues’ postings by doing one of the following:

• Review two of your colleagues’ postings and identify an additional fallacy made in the article, advertisement, or other media your colleague selected.
• Provide an alternate rewrite or restructuring of your colleague’s selected fallacy.