TFY: Chapter 11 – Inductive Reasoning and Inductive Fallacies Exercise

Class Discussion Exercise – Page 333:
List the contradictions you find in the following examples.

1. I love mankind; it’s just I can’t stand people.
Contradiction: Mankind is made up of people – Loving mankind (people), but not being able to stand people (mankind) is the contradiction.

2. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has imposed strict penalties for employees at nuclear plants found to be stoned from illicit drug use on the job; but no penalties were prescribed for workers discovered to be drunk at the nuclear controls. ( David Freudberg, KCBS Radio, February 16, 1990)
Contradiction: They imposed punishment for drug use, but not alcohol use?!?! This is the same difference. Being under the influence of a mind altering substance should be punished the same.

3. I’d like to order one Big Mac, large fries, twenty chicken nuggets, two apple pies, one chocolate sundae, and a diet Coke, please.
Contradiction: Here the person is ordering all these fatty foods and dessert, but then also orders a somewhat healthier beverage. That is the contradiction.

4. Capital punishment is our society’s recognition of the sanctity of human life. (Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah)
Contradiction: The sanctity of human life is the direct opposite of capital punishment.

5. The more killing and homicides you have, the more havoc it prevents. (Richard M. Daley, former mayor of Chicago)
Contradiction: I would think killing & homicides would be considered havoc!