Fallacies

Term Paper # 96106

Business > Management
Philosophy > Logic

Fallacies

An analysis of three common fallacies and their significance to critical thinking.

987 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper details three common fallacies to critical thinking, particularly within an organization. It provides examples of each fallacy (analogy or false analogy, post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy and the straw man argument) and it addresses the significance of each fallacy in relation to critical thinking. The paper then examines the general application of fallacies in relation to decision-making.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Fallacies
Arguments and Fallacies
Common Fallacies
Critical Thinking and Decision- making
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The straw man argument is another logical fallacy. The straw man approach attempts to misrepresent an opponent's position on a subject to make it easier to attack the opponent. Using the straw man tactic, one would distort the view of the opponent to ridiculous extremes or attack the weak premises associated with the argument. An example of this form of logical fallacy is represented in an article published in The Vancouver Sun. The article specifically reveals how the straw man approach is used to discredit expert claims to the cause and effects of global warming and extreme weather events. In this article, the Vancouver Sun writer Morag Carter opposes the position of the editor of the Journal of Natural Hazards, Tad Murty. The Sun writer explains, Murty has been quoted in the press: "This [global warming] is the biggest scientific hoax being perpetrated on humanity". Murty goes on to explain, " There is no global warming due to human anthropogenic activities" (Carter, 2006). Carter uses this article to stress how Murty has used the straw man approach to attack the credibility of the claim that global warming is contributing to extreme weather events."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bassham, G. (2000). Critical Thinking: A Students Introduction. The McGraw-Hill Companies.
Carter, M. (2005, September 3). Straw man rhetoric on climate change. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 17, 2006 from the ProQuest database.
Gardner, D. (2006, Jan 9). Crime, More Puzzling Than Rocket Science. Trail Times. Retrieved February 17, 2006 from the ProQuest database.
Parker, K. (2006, Feb 8). Faith, Free Speech: Where to draw the line? USA Today. Retrieved February 17, 2006 from the ProQuest database.