Lyceum of Iligan Foundation

College of Engineering and Architecture

S.Y. 2016-2017

Humanities 2
(Logic)

Fallacy
Topic

Submitted by:

Janeth L. Ramo
BS-Arch. 5

APPROVED:

Mr. Camar C. Mambuay

Instructor
 What is a Fallacy?

 Fallacy comes from the word “fallo” or “fallere” it means to deceive.

 It is the use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning or wrong moves in the construction
of an argument.

Example:
1. Appeal to ignorance - An appeal to ignorance occurs when one person uses another
person’s lack of knowledge on a particular subject as evidence that their own argument
is correct.

“You can’t prove that there aren’t Martians living in caves under the surface of Mars, so it
is reasonable for me to believe there are.”

2. Appeal to popular opinion - This type of appeal is when someone claims that an idea or
belief is true simply because it is what most people believe.

“Lots of people bought this album, so it must be good.”

There are two forms of fallacies in language. This are:

A. Formal Fallacy
B. Informal Fallacy
 Formal Fallacy

 A formal fallacy is a common error of thinking that can neatly be expressed in standard
system of logic. An argument that is formally fallacious is rendered invalid due to a flaw
in its logical structure. The point in question is not whether a conclusion is true or false,
but whether the form of argument is correct or incorrect, valid or invalid.

Example:
Formally Valid Arguments: Formally Invalid Arguments:
1. True and Valid 1. False and Invalid
All men are mortal. Some men are green.
Socrates is a man. Socrates is a man.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Therefore, Socrates is green.

2. False but Valid 2. True but Invalid

All men are green. Some men are mortal.
Socrates is a man. Socrates is a man.
Therefore, Socrates is green. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Informal Fallacy

 Informal fallacies are defects found in the content of the argument, which could be
inductive or deductive. It occurs when the contents of an argument's stated premises fail
to adequately support its proposed conclusion.

Example:
1. Appeal to Force
"I deserve a good grade, wouldn't you agree? If you don't agree, I'm afraid about what might
happen: I just can't control Bruno here".

2. Appeal to Pity
“I need to pass this class in order to graduate, if I don't graduate, my parents will kill me.
Therefore, I should receive a passing grade in the class".