Identifying Fallacies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Identifying Fallacies - Essay ExampleIn this regard, a rosy picture of Iraq is painted so as to hide the fact that armed battle was going on in that country.The use of the words brutal, calculating and instructive already suggests prejudice. These biased equipment casualty are used so as to justify to the American public and persuade people to positively perceive the Administrations decision to wage a war on Iraq.One of the programming companies, which develops anti-virus for computers, came up with an internet advertisement that shows all the files in your computer being deleted when one clicks an OK button on a pop-up screen.Weve also seen images of a young American facing decapitation. This vile display shows a contempt for all rules of warfare. - President George W. Bush (Remarks by the President on Iraq and War on Terror, 2004)In his speech, President Bush painted images of an American being decapitated. In this regard, he rouses the public to feel pity for the young American and at the same time provokes anger so that the people will feel the urge to fight back.An example is given by Freeman (1987) in The Courier-Journal wherein Barry Schweid of the Associated Press generated a report from a group from Stanford University that claimed to find diminutive proof of cheating by the Soviet Union on arms control-treaties. This challenges to delusive authority, which in this case is the group from Stanford University, a highly prominent organization. The credibility of the reports and validity of claims are established only because its was produced by a team from an common ivy League school 2.4. Appeal to BandwagonWhy should you feel guilty for seeking your own happiness when thats what everyone else is doing - Harry Browne (The Unselfish Trap)This statement is clearly an appeal to bandwagon because it justifies the correctness of an action to the perception that everyone is doing the same. 2.5. Appeal to PrejudiceThese elements of Saddams repressive regime and secret police have reorganized, rearmed and adopted sophisticated terrorist tactics. Theyve linked up with inappropriate fighters and terrorists - President George W. Bush (Remarks by the President on Iraq and War on Terror, 2004)This statement aims to discredit Saddams group by bringing up its linkage to unconnected fighters and terrorists. The problem is no sufficient evidence is presented to support the soundness of the claim. Note that the primary reason of US invasion of Iraq is the presence of weapons of mass destruction as proven by intelligence report. However, these other issues are also brought up to appeal to