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AU PHILOSOPHY 252 PHIL 252 CRITICAL
THINKING - FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
fallacy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔a bad argument that
tends to persuade us even though it is faulty
Formal Fallacies - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔affirming the
consequent and denying the antecedent
False Dilemma - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔also known as an
either/or fallacy; the suggestion is made in the
argument that the problem or debate only has two
solutions; can also be called the fallacy of the excluded
middle
Slippery Slope - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy that
assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent
steps that cannot be prevented
Straw Man - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy that occurs
when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or
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oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute
an idea.
Equivocation Fallacy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔when a key
word or phrase in an argument is used with more than
one meaning. It is an illegitimate switching of the
meaning of a term during the reasoning.
begging the question - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy in
which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in
doubt.
appeal to force (ad baculum) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔occurs when a conclusion is defended by a threat to
the well-being of those who do not accept it
Appeal to Pity (Ad Misericordiam) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Arguments that distract by making the audience feel
sorry for the speaker or someone on behalf of whom the
speaker is arguing.
Prejudicial Language - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔value or
moral goodness is attached to believing the author
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Attacking the Person (Ad Hominem) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Attacking an argument by attacking a person's
character or name calling.
Appeal to Authority - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy in
which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by
giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people
have for a famous person or institution.
non sequitur - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔conclusion does not
follow the evidence or is invalid
Premises - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔The reasons given in an
argument that provide support for the argument's
conclusion.
conclusion - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔the position supported
Misology - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔hatred of argument,
reasoning, or discussion
Misanthropy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔hatred of humanity
AU PHILOSOPHY 252 PHIL 252 CRITICAL
THINKING - FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025
fallacy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔a bad argument that
tends to persuade us even though it is faulty
Formal Fallacies - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔affirming the
consequent and denying the antecedent
False Dilemma - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔also known as an
either/or fallacy; the suggestion is made in the
argument that the problem or debate only has two
solutions; can also be called the fallacy of the excluded
middle
Slippery Slope - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy that
assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent
steps that cannot be prevented
Straw Man - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy that occurs
when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or
,2|Page
oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute
an idea.
Equivocation Fallacy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔when a key
word or phrase in an argument is used with more than
one meaning. It is an illegitimate switching of the
meaning of a term during the reasoning.
begging the question - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy in
which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in
doubt.
appeal to force (ad baculum) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔occurs when a conclusion is defended by a threat to
the well-being of those who do not accept it
Appeal to Pity (Ad Misericordiam) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Arguments that distract by making the audience feel
sorry for the speaker or someone on behalf of whom the
speaker is arguing.
Prejudicial Language - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔value or
moral goodness is attached to believing the author
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Attacking the Person (Ad Hominem) - ...ANSWER... ✔
✔Attacking an argument by attacking a person's
character or name calling.
Appeal to Authority - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔A fallacy in
which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by
giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people
have for a famous person or institution.
non sequitur - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔conclusion does not
follow the evidence or is invalid
Premises - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔The reasons given in an
argument that provide support for the argument's
conclusion.
conclusion - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔the position supported
Misology - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔hatred of argument,
reasoning, or discussion
Misanthropy - ...ANSWER... ✔ ✔hatred of humanity
