Module one - evaluating arguments
By Debbie Harris, Contributor

I AM sure you found the exercises I gave you for home assignment quite easy. Let's see how well you did. Here are the suggested responses to those exercises given in the last publication.

A. QUESTION: (1a) Consider the argument implicit in the Mayor's statement. Briefly explain what fallacy you think is present.

The quiet farming district of Belnavis in deep rural St Richard has witnessed a tremendous influx of visitors over the past three days. Many are drawn to the site of what locals are calling a modern day miracle. When this reporter visited Belnavis on New Year's Day the Mayor confirmed: "Since the Bishop's visit on Christmas Day there has been a miracle at the abandoned well at Eastside. After years of contamination from the bauxite factory, the water is now safe for use. It's true because he even drank some of it. Our water problems are now over."

ANSWER: The Mayor's statement implies that Belnavis' water problems are now over as a result of the Bishop's visit. The argument suggests a cause and effect relationship. It is fallacious because someone's mere visit could not cause the water to become clean; it does not follow simply because the clean water is preceded by his visit. The Mayor also makes an attempt to make it believable by saying that the Bishop "even drank some of it". The fallacy is post hoc/false cause.

QUESTION: (2b) Consider critically Sir John Brown's argument implicit in his statement and briefly explain what fallacy you think is present.

Defeated Member of Parliament and leader of the People's Lightning League, is crying foul at the results of the January 5th General Elections. Sir John Brown says that this has been the most fraudulent election in the history of Cali. "Never in my life have I seen this level of bogus voting, the stuffing of ballot boxes and the intimidation of voters." When asked what proof he had for these alleged Election Day malpractices, Sir John retorted, "It is plain for all to see. Nobody can dispute it and especially since it was reported in The Daily Truth, the nation's largest selling and most prestigious newspaper in the English speaking Caribbean." An appeal in the High Court is expected.

ANSWER: Sir John Brown's statement implies that the voting was fraudulent because it was reported in The Daily Truth. He uses this as his proof of the alleged Election Day malpractice. He attempts to make this believable by further suggesting that the newspaper's popularity, that is, it is "the most prestigious and largest selling newspaper"- which is why we should believe his argument. The fallacy is an appeal to authority.

B. QUESTION: For each of the following cases identify the fallacy and say why the reasoning is unsound.

1. A group of women were discussing their household problems. Mrs. Walters, their hostess, joined the group saying: "I'm so glad we're talking about these problems. It's so important to talk about things that are in our minds. We spend so much of our time in the kitchen that of course our household problems are in our minds. So it's important to talk about them."

ANSWER: The fallacy is circular argument. Mrs. Walters restates the conclusion as if it were itself the support for the main point. The point is repeated at the end. However, she never gets around to providing support for her main point.

2. If a coat or suit becomes old, ragged or out of style, we don't continue to wear it. We replace it with a new one. Similarly, employees who reach the age of 65 should be forced to retire to make way for younger people with energy and fresh ideas.

ANSWER: The fallacy is false analogy/false comparison. The comparison is without sufficient evidence. While there is some comparison in terms of the ageing of clothes and people, it is unfair to make this comparison as the situations are not similar; it cannot prove anything.

3. The recent frequency of prenatal genetic counselling raises the fear that fetuses will be selected for abortion merely on the chance that they may not grow up to meet preconceived ideals of appearance, intelligence or sexuality.

ANSWER: The fallacy is red herring. Since abortion is easily criticised the writer introduces it instead of addressing the real issue which is the frequency of prenatal genetic counselling. In doing this he has used irrelevant and misleading support ­ abortion. This makes his
argument unsound.

These are the suggested answers. I hope you did well! Until next week.