EXERCISE 8: Circular Justifications
Identify the fallacy that occurs in each passage.
These will be Circular Justifications: Invincible Ignorance, Petitio Principii, Vicious Circle, and Complex Question.
1. Do you think philosophers can't agree on anything because they are stupid, or because they are asking the wrong questions?
2. The attempt to ban hand guns is a dangerous threat to the American way of life, since gun control would seriously threaten the peace and security of American citizens.
3. We'll let you out of military service only if you want out and can convince us that you are crazy. But one would have to be crazy to want to stay in the military; so, the fact that you want out proves you are sane. So, of course, we won't let you out. (With apologies to Joseph Heller.)
4. I don't care what the studies say. Smoking hasn't killed me yet, so I'm going to keep on doing it.
5. It is clear that a strong military posture is vital to our national security, since military preparedness is essential to our ability to respond to outside threats.
WELCOME EXPLANATION OF PRINCIPLES TABLE OF FALLACIES EXERCISES INDEX