Fallacy Summary and Application

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Fallacy Summary and Application Abstract Throughout this paper, we will discuss the relative meanings of fallacies and the importance they have in regards to critical thinking and the decision-making processes. Within the process of critical thinking, fallacies tend to play a very large part of this process. By definition, a fallacy is a statement or an argument based on a false or invalid reference (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). As you will read on further into this paper, we will begin to define the significance that fallacies play with the role of critical thinking and decision-making. Fallacy Summary and Application From the master list of logical fallacies, I have chosen four different fallacies in which I will go into detail and discuss further. As I mentioned in the abstract, fallacies play a key role in the critical thinking and decision-making processes. We use fallacies everyday to persuade individuals to one side of an argument versus the other. We also use fallacies to appeal to people in different ways such as emotions, authority, and ignorance. The four fallacies that I will be discussing throughout this paper are the slippery slope fallacy, the false dilemma fallacy, the post hoc ergo propter fallacy, and the straw man fallacy. Slippery Slope Fallacy We can recognize a great deal of importance when dealing with the slippery slope fallacy. In business, it becomes very important for us to realize that there are no gray areas or in between areas. When dealing with business, many times our decisions and the critical thinking process is well defined and clear cut. On the other hand, are they really that clear cut? Are they really that defined? In an article by K.B. Battaglini (... ... middle of paper ... ...ould have a large amount of businesses that are unsuccessful because they are not taking the time to make educated and informed decisions about their problems or issues. The more time you put into the critical thinking process to evaluate your position, the better off you will be when it is time to make those urgent decisions. References U. Connecticut: EDITORIAL: Capitalism vs. socialism: A false dilemma. (2003, May 6). Financial Times Information Ltd., pNA, Retrieved January 22, 2005, from InfoTrac database. Battaglini, K.B. (2004). Slippery slope: the trail from puffery to fraud: do you know the difference between puffery and deception? Franchising World, 36(10), 30-32. Retrieved January 22, 2005, from InfoTrac database.

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