In paragraph form, summarize each of the following passages, and identify and explain the fallacies they demonstrate. Your paragraph should demonstrate your understanding of how to identify and evaluate arguments according to your learning in Units 1–5, concentrating on Unit 5 (identifying argument forms for validity and soundness, identifying and explaining fallacies, etc.).

Note: The passages might contain more than one fallacy.

Question 1 

Higher salaries for nurses mean better care for patients, and thus longer life spans for every Canadian. The Association of Nurse Employment released their member surveys saying that a significant number of nurses agree that they would give better care if their salaries were higher.

Nurses with high salaries will retire early because they have more money. So, we should prepare for a mass retirement by recruiting a million nurses by next year, otherwise, life expectancy in Canada will decline.

Question 2 

Referral process impeding individual liberty

Why do I have to go to my family physician to determine whether or not I need to see a specialist? I pay for the healthcare system just like everyone else, so I should be able to see whatever doctor I want, when I want.

Family physicians are only experts in general medicine, not the specialties they refer me to. How could they know which specialist I need to see? My friend Larry’s family physician didn’t refer him to a cardiologist before his heart attack, and he died. This referral system is costing lives.

I think the family physicians are just lining their pockets with additional appointments for referrals. I think we all know what kind of money they make.