GENERAL EXERCISES IN TESTING THE VALIDITY OF CATEGORICAL ARGUMENTS.
Let the student give attention to the fallacies in meaning as well as to the fallacies in form.
1. None but those who are contented with their lot in life can justly be considered happy. But the truly wise man will always make himself contented with his lot in life, and, therefore he may justly be considered happy. Keynes.
2. Suffering is a title to an excellent inheritance; for God chastens every son whom he receives. Keynes.
3. No young man is wise; for only experience can give wisdom, and experience comes only with age. Keynes.
4. Dr. Johnson remarked that “a man who sold a penknife was not necessarily an iron-monger.” Against what logical fallacy was this remark directed? Explain. Keynes.
5. This pamphlet contains seditious doctrines, the spread of which may be dangerous to the state; hence the pamphlet must be suppressed. Keynes.
6. Good workmen do not complain of their tools: my pupils do not complain of their tools; therefore, my pupils are probably good workmen. Keynes.
7. Knowledge gives power; consequently, since power is desirable, knowledge is desirable. Keynes.
8. Some who are truly wise are not learned; but the virtuous alone are truly wise; the learned, therefore, are not always virtuous. Keynes.
9. The spread of education among the lower orders will make them unfit for their work; for it has always had that effect on those among them who happen to have acquired it in previous times. Keynes.
10. Slavery is a natural institution and therefore ought not to be abolished. Russell.
11. The yardstick of success is the dollar, and you have made your millions.
12. “All who talk well are not necessarily intelligent, and A is certainly a spell-binder.”
13. Gold and silver are the wealth of a country; consequently, the diminution of gold and silver by exportation must mean the diminution of the wealth of a country. Russell.
14. A miracle is unbelievable, because it fails to conform to known laws of nature.
15. Improbable events happen every day; now, what happens every day is a probable event; therefore, improbable events are probable events.
16. What fallacy did Columbus commit when he made the egg stand on end by breaking one end?
17. Some holder of a ticket is sure to draw the prize; and, as I am a ticket holder, I am sure to draw the prize. Russell.
18. All the members of the jury are just men, hence you may trust the foreman.
19. Select the star players of the country and you will have a team which cannot be beaten.
20. All the houses on this street present a pretty picture; this house, therefore, which is on this street, will make a fine picture.
21. What is the good of all your teaching, for every day we hear of wrong doing made possible by education.
22. You are not what I am; I am a teacher; hence you are not a teacher.
23. The student of history is compelled to admit the law of progress, for he finds that society has never stood still. Russell.
24. This bill must have been designed to bleed the people because it is supported by the grafters of the state.
25. “To close the saloons on Sunday is contrary to the wishes of the people of the city; hence those ‘farmer legislators’ should keep hands off.”
26. Success is the right man in the right place doing his best, and you are working to the limit.
27. Early to bed and early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise. It is, therefore, easy enough to get rich.
28. Honesty being the best policy, I must tell the truth to mypatient, though to tell him that he cannot live will shorten his life many days.
29. A stitch in times saves nine, hence an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
30. The richest man I know used to sweep his office every morning, hence it pays to commence at the bottom.
31. Cramming is an injurious habit, since it makes the building of logical memories practically impossible.
32. A strong will means a trained will; struggle is an indication of weakness.
33. There is no such thing as a national or state conscience; therefore, no judgments can fall upon a sinful nation. Hibben.
34. The principles of justice are variable; the appointments of nature are invariable; therefore, the principles of justice are no appointment of nature. Aristotle.
35. Intelligence and not sex should be the standard; therefore, let the women have their way.
36. “War by killing off the men of the country gives the living a better opportunity to succeed because of reduced competition.”
37. Since you deem yourself a misfit, in the name of common sense, why do you not change your occupation?
38. The conquest of America by Europeans has been a good thing for the world; since no eminent historian doubts it.