Critical Thinking - Evaluating Logic - Part 2 of 3

Summary

In the video, the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning explores common logical fallacies such as circular reasoning, false authority, ad hominem attacks, and false dilemma. Circular reasoning involves restating the argument with synonyms instead of evidence. False authority is when non-experts are cited as credible sources. Ad hominem attacks involve personal insults rather than addressing the argument. False dilemmas present limited choices, ignoring possible alternatives.

Highlights

• Circular reasoning is when a claim is supported only by rephrasing the original argument. 🚫
• Celebrities are often used as false authorities to promote products outside their expertise. 🌟
• Ad hominem attacks target opponents personally instead of addressing their arguments. 👊
• False dilemmas create an illusion of only two choices; be aware of alternative possibilities. 🚪

Key Takeaways

• Always back up claims with solid evidence, not just synonyms or repeated phrases. 🔍
• Check the credentials of a source before believing their authority on a topic. 📚
• Avoid personal attacks in arguments; focus on the topic at hand. 🗣️
• Don't fall for false dilemmas; there are often more than just two options. ⚖️

Overview

The video begins by addressing circular reasoning, a common logical fallacy that involves supporting a statement with a restatement rather than evidence. It uses simple examples like claiming soda is bad simply because it's unhealthy, without providing concrete evidence such as listing harmful ingredients or scientific studies. This fallacy is often a trap that can easily be avoided by backing claims with solid evidence rather than synonyms.

Moving on, the video highlights the false use of authority, where individuals rely on non-expert opinions as credible evidence. An example given is trusting a celebrity’s advice on dermatological issues without verifying their expertise in that field. The video encourages seeking information from true experts and vetted sources, cautioning against taking advice from figures outside their area of authority.

Lastly, the video discusses the ad hominem attack and false dilemmas. The ad hominem fallacy involves countering an argument by attacking the person rather than addressing their points. It emphasizes the importance of sticking to the arguments rather than resorting to personal slights. The false dilemma fallacy simplifies complex situations into only two options, ignoring other possible solutions, often used to manipulate opinions and decisions.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: Circular Reasoning The chapter titled 'Circular Reasoning' discusses the concept of circular reasoning through an example. It explains that claiming soda is bad for you because it is an unhealthy beverage is a form of circular reasoning. The claim that soda is unhealthy is essentially using unhealthy as a synonym for bad, without providing independent evidence or logic to support the claim.
• 01:00 - 02:30: False Use of Authority The chapter titled 'False Use of Authority' discusses the concept of circular reasoning, where a claim is supported using the same logic that underpins the claim itself. Instead of reiterating claims using synonyms, the chapter suggests employing concrete evidence to substantiate assertions. For instance, in arguing that soda is unhealthy, one could cite toxic ingredients, provide scientific or medical references, or even use dramatic demonstrations, such as pouring soda on a car hood, to illustrate its harmful effects.
• 02:30 - 03:30: Ad Hominem In the chapter titled 'Ad Hominem,' the discussion focuses on the false use of authority as an argument tactic, often seen in marketing and advertising. An example is given where a celebrity like Katy Perry endorses a skincare product, suggesting it as the healthiest solution. The validity of this endorsement is questioned since the celebrity's expertise in music does not translate to authority in skincare.
• 03:30 - 05:30: False Dilemma The chapter 'False Dilemma' deals with the problematic use of authority in decision-making, particularly emphasizing the importance of consulting experts in the relevant field. It begins with a reference to dermatology and the notion of using products like Proactive, highlighting the potential issue of relying on non-experts for advice. The chapter then defines the 'false use of authority' fallacy, which occurs when someone relies on testimony from individuals who lack proper credentials in the specific area of concern. An example is provided wherein a scholarly research assignment requires sources from true authorities in the field, underlining the necessity of correct and credible information for scholarly work.

Critical Thinking - Evaluating Logic - Part 2 of 3 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 so here's an example of circular reasoning Soda is bad for you because it isn't unhealthy beverage and this example someone is claiming that soda is bad for you what is their logic or evidence to prove this it is an unhealthy beverage in this case unhealthy is really just a synonym for bad so essentially they're claiming that soda that is unhealthy because it is
• 00:30 - 01:00 unhealthy when the claim is really no different from the logic used to support it we see circular reasoning rather than restating the claim with synonyms it is better to use solid evidence for support for example a stronger way to prove that soda is bad for you or unhealthy would be to list the toxic ingredients to reference evidence from scientists or doctors or to even demonstrated its potency by pouring it on to the hood of a car and
• 01:00 - 01:30 watching it kill the paint so here's an example of false use of authority oftentimes an effort to sell the product and ideas people use the false use of authority if katy perry tells you that proactive is the healthiest solution to use on your skin so you believe her he tried right away katy perry may be in expert in vocals or attracting audiences but is she an
• 01:30 - 02:00 expert in dermatology although it is possible that proactive may end up working miracles on your skin in this case before making a decision perhaps a better person to consult with would be a dermatologist false use of authority occurs when testimony from someone who is not an authority in the field is used as evidence let's take a look at another example you were asked to use a scholarly sources to provide information in a research assignment you are doing
• 02:00 - 02:30 you could just Google it and and grab something from wikipedia or the first blog site you land on the information may even be correct but one critical question to ask is whether the author is a true authority on this topic or scholar in this field a better way to assure that you were finding legitimate carefully vetted information written by experts in the field would be to use a database and refine your search by clicking on the scholarly articles
• 02:30 - 03:00 checkbox for more information about how to be more information savvy why don't you take a look at the information literacy module let's talk about ad hominem if you've ever found yourself in a namecalling match it is likely that the ad hominem palacios being used ad hominem is latin for against the man and occurs when someone attacks the opponent personally rather than
• 03:00 - 03:30 attacking the actual argument at hand let's take a look at this example when someone doesn't have a adequate defense for their argument or when they lose control of their temper they may resort to using ad hominem
• 03:30 - 04:00 where they are attacking the person personally instead of focusing on the argument at hand let's talk about the false dilemma fallicy have you ever felt pinned into a corner to make a decision or have you ever been made to feel that there are probably two choices only two distinct possibilities if so someone may have been using the false dilemma fallicy to convince you or
• 04:00 - 04:30 this is also known as the either or fallacy politicians may resort to using this fallacy to manipulate thinking for example if you don't vote for the following female candidate in the next election you must be sexist wait a minute is it possible that you can oppose this female candidates views without being sexist to really knock this logic on its side perhaps you can even reference the female politicians that you support within your own political party
• 04:30 - 05:00 in this case someone's convincing you that there are only two possible choices and the only one word choosing is of course theirs let's take a look at another example Either you give me this candy or you must not love me oftentimes people use the either or a fallacy as a guilt tactic isn't it possible your abstaining from buying the candy for your child because you love her and care about her health
• 05:00 - 05:30 or perhaps you love your boyfriend dearly but simply cannot afford to be giving him sugar whenever demands it the false dilemma fallacy oversimplify scenarios or decisions into black and white categories often ignoring the alternatives or the shades of gray now let's see if you you can spot the logical fallacies used in these examples