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An argument is fallacious when it contains one or more logical fallacies. “A logical fallacy is defined as “an argument that contains mistakes in reasoning”. (Bassham, 2002, p.140) The two most common are the fallacies of relevance and insufficient evidence. The assignment requests that this paper define three fallacies and explain its significance to critical thinking and its application to decision making. The following three fallacies were selected; appeal to pity, red herring fallacy and a hasty generalization. The appeal to pity fallacy “occurs when an arguer attempts to evoke feelings of pity or compassion, when such feelings, however understandable, are not logically relevant to the arguer’s conclusion”. (p. 148) Arguments of this nature appeal to sympathetic arousement of a concept presented and may provide no relevant acceptance of a conclusion. Although in some instances it may provide relevancy to the arguer’s legitimate purpose and may obscure rational thinking. Appeal to pity has no credence and is not supported in the critical thinking process because it lacks data, evidence, etc. It is basically a plea to accept an argument based upon the emotional state of the arguer and provides no pertinent logic to accept the conclusion. It may be significant to the critical thinking process if the purpose is legitimate and may appeal to both the arguer and recipient of the argument based on similar circumstances. If it is used to hinder or obscure rational thinking, the appeal to pity is fallacious. For example, friends all gather for a party and subsequently drink alcohol to the point of intoxication. One of the individuals determines that since everyone drinks at some time and therefore it is okay that he drinks. On the trip home, a police officer pulls over the individual for weaving and subsequently also charges the individual with D.U.I. The appeal is raised when the individual warrants the intoxicated state with excuses of I only had a few and that was due to being laid off the job and worrying about how the bills are going to get paid Appeal to pity is seeking pathos for exemption.
Approximate Word count = 1303
Approximate Pages = 5.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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