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Catyria Adams

Professor Sandy- Smith

English Composition ll

26 November 2020

Logical Fallacies

Oftentimes, society relies heavily on advertisements, commercials, movies, and television

shows, when making decisions. However, many of these sources blindsight true information,

which are fallacies, or common errors of argumentation that contradict the logic of the claim or

assertion. These fallacies may be either invalid claims or irrelevant arguments and are often

recognized because they lack the evidence to support the original claim. One example, being Ad

hominem or attacks the person, rather than the subject or the issue. For instance, with the recent

2020 presidential debate highlighting the democratic and republican perspectives, and plans of

presidential nominees Donald J. Trump and Joe Biden. Throughout much of this debate, Trumps’

primary focus was based on slamming Biden's family, and deterring from the subject, rather than

supporting his own claims. In fact, Trump asks “Why is it, just out of curiosity, the mayor of

Moscow’s wife gave your son $3.5 million?” At one point, Biden states “He doesn’t want to talk

about what you need. You. The American people. It’s about you. That’s what we’re talking

about here. It’s not about me.” This is also an example of the red herring fallacy.

Another example, using the appeal to the people, as Barack Obama suggest that

American citizens make the choice of voting for themselves and the democratic party, who

proposed the idea of asking the wealthy to pay a little more so that we can pay off our debt in a

balanced way, stating that it would help invest in education and improve job opportunities.

Obama appeals to the people by stating “Sometimes politics can seem very small. But the choice
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you face, it couldn't be bigger,” arguing that setting aside politics, in order to improve the

American economy. Lastly, the false bandwagon perspective fallacy, as it suggests that because

everyone else is doing you should be entitled to do it too. For instance, in the show, Full House,

in an attempt to become a ‘cool kid,’ Stephanie is encouraged to wear makeup, as well as smoke

cigarettes. After Stephanie refuses to not smoke cigarettes, she is taunted for not wanting to

smoke; she is referred to as a ‘dweeb.’ On the other hand, her friend decided to smoke with the

cool kids in order to fit in. Within, later scenes Stephanie and her friend are deciding to stand up

and become their own individualistic selves.

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References:

BarackObamadotcom. “‘The Choice’ - Obama For America TV Ad.” YouTube, uploaded

by BarackObamadotcom, Published 23 July 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?

v=FBorRZnqtMo&list=PLjJwbcoCAioZFMEZ4E7bdea3Q9iig4qzJ&index=4.

CNBC Television. “President Donald Trump Attacks Joe Biden’s Son over Ukraine

Ties.” YouTube, uploaded by CNBC Television, Published 30 Sept. 2020,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR-Z4F5xhx4.

Tristin Koch. “Peer Pressure.” YouTube, uploaded by Tristin Koch, Published 22 Jan.

2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Od6ENjJJ-U.