Part 2: Informal Fallacies (7 questions) 1. Examine the following statements to find out whether there is an informal fallacy in Alex's reasoning. If there is an informal fallacy, name it and explain why Alex's reasoning is fallacious An example is given to show the style of answers expected. If a statement does not have an informal fallacy, then you should write 'the statement is correct', plus an explanation. 2. Follow the given example in formulating your answers. 3. Assessment weight: 10.5% (1.5% for each question) Questions 1) Alex: Listen, Helen. I need your vote in the next department election or I may not get the position of head of department. Remember, if I do not get elected, my little daughter will be very upset. 2) Alex: Support the Government or your parents will receive a poor health care system. 3) Alex: Dr. Strange, one of Hong Kong's leading oral surgeons, has pointed that quantum physics required us to say that a particle must be at no particular place at no particular time, so the whole absurd theory is mistaken. Dr. Strange's scientific assessment shows why it is that no reasonable person can endorse quantum theory. 4) Mary: The caterer said that the food price had to be increased because of the rise of rental and staff wages. Do you think it is reasonable? Alex: That is an absurd proposal. The caterers only offer us excuses in order to increase their profits 5) Teacher Mary: I think our university should ban students from using smart phones in lecture theatres. Teacher Alex: That is not a civilized way of management. How can we seclude the students from the outside world leaving them unconnected and helpless in case they have problems? 6) Alex: it is a common observation that those who have more wrinkles on their faces are more prone to falls. To prevent falls, we should ask residents in old people's homes to use skincare products to reduce their wrinkles. In so doing, there would be fewer falls. 7) Elder sister Mary: Why do you think you have a right to use my personal computer? Young brother Alex: You are my elder sister. It is your obligation to let your younger brother to use your belongings. Example Councilor Alex: "We'll have to cut education funding this year." Councilor Bill: "Why?" Councilor Alex: "Well, either we cut the funding for education or we live with a huge deficit and we can't live with the deficit." Answer (name the fallacy and explain how Alex's argument fits the fallacy): This is a false dilemma. Alex assumes that there only two choices (1) the government has to cut education or (2) live with a huge deficit. But this is not true. There can be other choices such as increasing tax or cutting other unnecessary government expenses. There are actually other choices. Marking scheme: 1. Correct naming of the fallacy: 0.75% (this part must be correct in order for the rest to earn marks) 2. Explanation: 0.75%