Question

"Good" arguments (1) have all true premises, but they also (2) avoid fallacious reasoning. Thus, if you can detect either a false premise or a fallacy within an argument, then you know the argument is not a "good" argument (that is, a "sound" or "cogent" argument, for deductive and inductive arguments respectively). However, not all defective arguments commit a fallacy. Specifically, a fallacy is a defect in an argument that arises from faulty reasoning in the argument, not because the argument has one or more false premises. Furthermore, there are two distinct types of fallacies to look out for: informal and formal fallacies. A formal fallacy arises from a defect in the structure of an argument, so that you can identify these fallacies by simply examining the argument's form, without regard to the specific content of the argument. By contrast, an informal fallacy arises from mistaken presumptions about the content of an argument and can only be detected by examining the specific content of the argument's statements. Determine whether each argument is a "good" argument or a defective argument. If it is defective, determine whether it also commits a fallacy, and indicate which type of fallacy (formal or informal) it commits. Argument A P1: Either that animal is a reptile, or else it is definitely not a snake. P2: It is definitely not a snake. C: So, that animal is not a reptile. Argument A ? a "good" argument; and it ? commit a fallacy. Does Argument A commit an informal or a formal fallacy? Argument A commits an informal fallacy. Argument A commits no fallacy. Argument A commits a formal fallacy. Argument B P1: I like hamburgers. P2: I like chocolate. C: I would probably like chocolate-covered hamburgers. Argument B ? a "good" argument; and it ? commit a fallacy. Does Argument B commit an informal or a formal fallacy? Argument B commits an informal fallacy. Argument B commits no fallacy. Argument B commits a formal fallacy.

"Good" arguments (1) have all true premises, but they also (2) avoid fallacious reasoning. Thus, if you can detect either a false premise or a fallacy within an argument, then you know the argument is not a "good" argument (that is, a "sound" or "cogent" argument, for deductive and inductive arguments respectively). However, not all defective arguments commit a fallacy. Specifically, a fallacy is a defect in an argument that arises from faulty reasoning in the argument, not because the argument has one or more false premises. Furthermore, there are two distinct types of fallacies to look out for: informal and formal fallacies. A formal fallacy arises from a defect in the structure of an argument, so that you can identify these fallacies by simply examining the argument's form, without regard to the specific content of the argument. By contrast, an informal fallacy arises from mistaken presumptions about the content of an argument and can only be detected by examining the specific content of the argument's statements.

Determine whether each argument is a "good" argument or a defective argument. If it is defective, determine whether it also commits a fallacy, and indicate which type of fallacy (formal or informal) it commits.

Argument A
P1: Either that animal is a reptile, or else it is definitely not a snake.
P2: It is definitely not a snake.
C: So, that animal is not a reptile.

Argument A ? a "good" argument; and it ? commit a fallacy.

Does Argument A commit an informal or a formal fallacy?

Argument A commits an informal fallacy.
Argument A commits no fallacy.
Argument A commits a formal fallacy.

Argument B
P1: I like hamburgers.
P2: I like chocolate.
C: I would probably like chocolate-covered hamburgers.

Argument B ? a "good" argument; and it ? commit a fallacy.

Does Argument B commit an informal or a formal fallacy?

Argument B commits an informal fallacy.
Argument B commits no fallacy.
Argument B commits a formal fallacy.