Entry 4_Nguyễn Hồng Nhung

Entry 4:

Argument Structures and Fallacies

Item 1

Source: http://www.coloribus.com/adsarchive/prints/people-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-animals-peta-i-am-alicia-silverstone-and-im-a-vegetarian-10455255/

Analysis

Argument:
If you go vegetarian, you will become beautiful, slim and sexy (If A, then B)
You don't go vegan                                                                (Not A)
You won't be beautiful, slim and sexy                                     (Therefore, not B)
=> Invalid (denying the antecedent): you may still become beautiful, slim and sexy by eating diet and doing exercise, for example.
=> Structural fallacy
Valid argument:
If you go vegetarian, you will become beautiful, slim and sexy (If A, then B)
You don't become beautiful, slim and sexy                             (Not B)
You may don't go vegetarian                                                 (Therefore, not A)

Item 2

Source: http://www.sillyman.org/2008_07_27_archive.html

Analysis

Argument: "Anti-God is Anti-American"

=> Most American are Christian. So if you are Anti-God, you are Anti-American.

=> Irrelevant appeal (appeal to popularity) 

Argument: "Anti-American is Treason

                       Traitors lead to Civil War"

=> Treason/traitors is only a necessary but insufficient condition to lead to Civil War. If there is the condition of treason only, it is impossible to conclude that Civil War will happen.

=> Necessary and sufficient conditions (Fallacies of presumption)

Item 3

"I wish President Obama had succeeded, because I want America to succeed.  (APPLAUSE). But his promises gave way to disappointment and division. This isn't something we have to accept.  Now is the moment when we can do something.  And with your help, we will do something." (Mitt Romney's speech, in which he accepts the GOP presidential nomination, at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 30, 2012. )

Source:http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/30/transcript-mitt-romney-speech-at-rnc/#ixzz2CdW7YKPf

Analysis

Through his speech, Romney is trying to claim a argument that either you vote for me, or you will have the same disappointment and division you had under Obama. However, we can see that America may have other brighter destinies under Obama, not only disappointment and division. 

=> False dilemma