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Position:Home>Philosophy> Logical fallacy? ?Question: Logical fallacy!? !? Is this a logical fallacy!? "My teacher took my paper that my mom bought for me and distributed to the class so those who weren't able to buy paper themselves will have some paper!. She is wrong to do this because it is communism!"
I think this is a logical fallacy!. If you don't know what the fallacy is called, give a valid argument on why labeling the teacher's action weakens this argument!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: It's an appeal to tradition: "Communism is bad (the teacher's actions were confiscatory, redistributive, which is totalitarian/communistic)!." If you think such actions are unethical, say so, without applying an accurate label to same, which involves condemnation of a "bad system!." The lack of ethics, or why it is wrong, is independent of "communism!." A similar confiscation occurred under "fascism!."Www@QuestionHome@Com The conclusion is "She is wrong", or more explicitly "My teacher is wrong"!. There is also an intermediate conclusion and an implied premise!. Premise: My teacher committed such-and-such acts!. Premise: Such-and-such acts amount to communism!. Intermediate conclusion: My teacher committed acts of communism!. Implied premise: Anyone who commits acts of communism is wrong!. Conclusion: My teacher is wrong!. One problem is that the implied premise is not explicitly stated!. It is difficult to reach a conclusion that someone is wrong without stating what counts as wrong!. This is why labeling the teacher's action as wrong weakens the argument!. So, I would guess that at least one of the fallacies in this argument is begging the question!. The conclusion states that she is wrong, but why is she wrong!?Www@QuestionHome@Com Well, the conclusion does not logically follow the premise, therefore this would be the logical fallacy of non-sequitor!. The teacher could be passing out the paper for some reason besides communism and thus the conclusion would be false!. whaleWww@QuestionHome@Com There are probably a few logical fallacies it could be!. "Appeal to the People" is one!. Appeal to the People happens when you claim something is true or false because it's what most everyone believes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I believe this is a logical fallacy, called a hasty generalization!. See http://www!.nizkor!.org/features/fallacies!.!.!. for a detailed answer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Its also a matter of opinion!. So what if its communism!? That doesnt make it bad or wrong!. Its wrong for other reasons!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |