RLGN 105 MIDTERM EXAM 100 QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS) /A+ GRADE ASSURED
Oversimplification - ANSWER: Concluding that an effect has only one cause when it is
really the result of multiple causes. (ie. gun violence)
Hasty Conclusion - ANSWER: Making a judgement on the basis of one or even a few
samples.
Overgeneralization - ANSWER: (Stereotyping) - Making a judgement about an entire
group based on behavior, mostly undesirable, of a few from that group
False Analogies - ANSWER: Arguing on the basis go a comparison of unrelated things.
Slippery Slope - ANSWER: Arguing against an action on the unsupported assertion
that it will inevitably lead to a much worse condition.
Sweeping Generalization - ANSWER: Stating a general principle and then applying it
in a specific case as though it were a universal rule.
Ad Hominem - ANSWER: (Lit. "To the Man") Seeking to discredit a person's argument
by attacking their personal character, origin, associations. etc.
Appeal to (false or misleading) Authority - ANSWER: Appealing to the opinion of a
person who agrees with yours because they are generally respected by the audience,
but have no real authority on the topic at hand (ie. commercials)
Appeal to Ignorance - ANSWER: Claiming that something is true simply because it
cannot be disproved, or that something is untrue because it cannot be proved.
Bandwagon - ANSWER: Justifying a course of action because everyone is doing it (ie.
Driving over the speed limit because everyone else is)
Is/Ought or Naturalistic Fallacy - ANSWER: Concluding about the way things ought to
be simply on the basis of how things are or are assumed to be.
Selective Perception - ANSWER: Looking only for things that support our current
ideas, and ignoring evidence that does not. (looking for sources that only support
your thesis)
False Dilemma - ANSWER: Oversimplifying a complex issue to make it appear that
only two alternatives.
Red Herring - ANSWER: Raising an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the
primary issue. This argument appeals to a person's fears or sense of pity.
, Straw Man - ANSWER: Misrepresenting a position to make it seem weaker than it
really is or to demonize the position to make it sound worse yuan it is and then act
as if the argument has been won when the real issue hasn't even been addressed.
(Creation vs. Evolution)
Genetic Fallacy - ANSWER: Giving to a position or supporting a claim because of the
origin (genesis) of the position when such an appeal to origin is irrelevant.
What is critical thinking? (3) - ANSWER: 1. Recognizing and evaluating opinions and
so-called evidence.
2. Reflecting on the meaning and significance of statements and ideas.
3. Tests the reasonableness of statements and ideas.
Characteristics of Critical Thinkers - ANSWER: -Evaluate attitudes, values, and
opinions
-Having a right to an opinion does not mean that opinion is right.
-Do not pretend to know what they don't know
-Do not blindly adhere to tradition.
-Resist and refuse to use manipulation
-Seek clarification of terms
-Explore sides of issues
-Opinions/judgement based on evidence
-Eager to learn from experiences
-Look for fallacies in other arguments
Why should you care about critical thinking? (4) - ANSWER: 1. Helps you to make
sense of life and the world around you.
2. Helps you to do your job more effectively.
3. Helps you avoid being ripped off.
4. Prepares you for everyday life.
Opinion - ANSWER: A belief or conclusion about reality. Open to question and
analysis by critical thinking.
Argument - ANSWER: An attempt to offer evidence to demonstrate the
reasonableness of an opinion.
What are the two parts of a good argument? - ANSWER: Evidence and conclusion
The Law of Non-Contradiction - ANSWER: Something cannot both exist and not exist
or be true and false at the same time and in the same way.
Fallacies - ANSWER: An error in reasoning.
What a worldview is NOT (2) - ANSWER: 1. Not just a person's perception of the
world
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS) /A+ GRADE ASSURED
Oversimplification - ANSWER: Concluding that an effect has only one cause when it is
really the result of multiple causes. (ie. gun violence)
Hasty Conclusion - ANSWER: Making a judgement on the basis of one or even a few
samples.
Overgeneralization - ANSWER: (Stereotyping) - Making a judgement about an entire
group based on behavior, mostly undesirable, of a few from that group
False Analogies - ANSWER: Arguing on the basis go a comparison of unrelated things.
Slippery Slope - ANSWER: Arguing against an action on the unsupported assertion
that it will inevitably lead to a much worse condition.
Sweeping Generalization - ANSWER: Stating a general principle and then applying it
in a specific case as though it were a universal rule.
Ad Hominem - ANSWER: (Lit. "To the Man") Seeking to discredit a person's argument
by attacking their personal character, origin, associations. etc.
Appeal to (false or misleading) Authority - ANSWER: Appealing to the opinion of a
person who agrees with yours because they are generally respected by the audience,
but have no real authority on the topic at hand (ie. commercials)
Appeal to Ignorance - ANSWER: Claiming that something is true simply because it
cannot be disproved, or that something is untrue because it cannot be proved.
Bandwagon - ANSWER: Justifying a course of action because everyone is doing it (ie.
Driving over the speed limit because everyone else is)
Is/Ought or Naturalistic Fallacy - ANSWER: Concluding about the way things ought to
be simply on the basis of how things are or are assumed to be.
Selective Perception - ANSWER: Looking only for things that support our current
ideas, and ignoring evidence that does not. (looking for sources that only support
your thesis)
False Dilemma - ANSWER: Oversimplifying a complex issue to make it appear that
only two alternatives.
Red Herring - ANSWER: Raising an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the
primary issue. This argument appeals to a person's fears or sense of pity.
, Straw Man - ANSWER: Misrepresenting a position to make it seem weaker than it
really is or to demonize the position to make it sound worse yuan it is and then act
as if the argument has been won when the real issue hasn't even been addressed.
(Creation vs. Evolution)
Genetic Fallacy - ANSWER: Giving to a position or supporting a claim because of the
origin (genesis) of the position when such an appeal to origin is irrelevant.
What is critical thinking? (3) - ANSWER: 1. Recognizing and evaluating opinions and
so-called evidence.
2. Reflecting on the meaning and significance of statements and ideas.
3. Tests the reasonableness of statements and ideas.
Characteristics of Critical Thinkers - ANSWER: -Evaluate attitudes, values, and
opinions
-Having a right to an opinion does not mean that opinion is right.
-Do not pretend to know what they don't know
-Do not blindly adhere to tradition.
-Resist and refuse to use manipulation
-Seek clarification of terms
-Explore sides of issues
-Opinions/judgement based on evidence
-Eager to learn from experiences
-Look for fallacies in other arguments
Why should you care about critical thinking? (4) - ANSWER: 1. Helps you to make
sense of life and the world around you.
2. Helps you to do your job more effectively.
3. Helps you avoid being ripped off.
4. Prepares you for everyday life.
Opinion - ANSWER: A belief or conclusion about reality. Open to question and
analysis by critical thinking.
Argument - ANSWER: An attempt to offer evidence to demonstrate the
reasonableness of an opinion.
What are the two parts of a good argument? - ANSWER: Evidence and conclusion
The Law of Non-Contradiction - ANSWER: Something cannot both exist and not exist
or be true and false at the same time and in the same way.
Fallacies - ANSWER: An error in reasoning.
What a worldview is NOT (2) - ANSWER: 1. Not just a person's perception of the
world
