Errors in Reasoning Fallacies

Errors in Reasoning Fallacies Fallacies are errors in reasoning better known to as misconceptions that arise as a result of incorrect reasoning particularly during argumentation (Rottenberg, 2004, p. 13). Consequently, fallacies arising by accident or design can influence certain emotional triggers in persons listening to such statements or they can also exploit the social interactions between the listeners. Furthermore, fallacies are statements used by people in order to avoid, confuse, or oversimplify certain issues, and finally, to deceive others. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Errors in Reasoning: Fallacies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Accordingly, fallacious arguments are constructed in such a way that the use of rhetorical arguments obscures the sound arguments, and thus making them difficult to detect (Rottenberg, 2004). In this essay, we will take an extensive look at the use of fallacies in argumentation. Here, the essay utilizes e xamples in real life to describe those fallacies that are used commonly and those that seem difficult to diagnose. The Bandwagon Appeal is one of the most common fallacies, propagandas, or smokescreens used in several occasions. This fallacy is employed by most politicians to lure the masses into voting in their favor. For instance, â€Å"Barrack Obama-The Change that We Desire† forms a good example of the bandwagon appeal. Furthermore, most TV ads present large numbers of people using a particular brand or product in order to influence the attitudes and actions of consumers. Here, the bandwagon appeal implies that if you cannot join the masses, then you are bound to be left in the dark (Rottenberg, 2004). Another common fallacy involves changing the subject or the red herring fallacy. This fallacy entails instances where people use irrelevant information to justify the meaning of unsound statements or arguments. For example, one can say that, â€Å"There is the paramount n eed to increase our funding in education. And just because our neighbors are pumping a lot of money into buying military equipment, does not imply that we should also do the same. This is because the future of our country depends on the youth of the present day.† Commonly, this fallacy is used by most mystery writers in order to conceal the truth from their readers (Rottenberg, 2004). Further, fallacies occur during instances whereby one uses part of the argument in order to support the rest of the argument. This form of error in reasoning is known as circular reasoning. For instance, â€Å"Mr. Dominic is an excellent writer because he writes excellently.† Here, it is worth noting that the statement takes the reader in circles by using the same reason as the conclusion (Rottenberg, 2004). Advertising Looking for essay on philosophy? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, some fallacies occur when one makes an assumption that if two items are similar in one way, then they should be similar in other ways. This fallacy is known as false comparison. For instance, â€Å"Shoes and slippers are worn on the feet. Shoes can protect one from catching a cold more efficiently, and so are the slippers.† Conversely, errors in reasoning that are more difficult to diagnose include fallacies such as conventional wisdom, which entails the use of facts known to everybody to construct arguments. For example, â€Å"A pen is mightier than a gun, therefore, if you are involved in any fight; just grab a pen to your defense.† Moreover, the use of facts and opinions to construct the same argument leads to a fallacy known as opinion-fact, which is very difficult to detect (Rottenberg, 2004). For example, one can say that, â€Å"President Obama came into power during the global economic crisis. He must have helped the United States to get out of the crisis before any country could think of the same.† Overall, charging from the discussions above, it is useful to take note of fallacies in argumentation because as mentioned earlier fallacies are errors in reasoning, which are used to confuse, oversimplify, or avoid certain issues, and thus fallacies can form the basis of deceptions. As a result, the knowledge of fallacies helps people to maintain constant and strict checks against statements of deception, which can conceal the truth and lead one into believing false arguments, beliefs, or even making purchases on the basis of false premises presented in advertisements. Reference Rottenberg, A.T. (2004). Elements of argument (4th ed.). New York: St.Martin’s Press.

Character Analysis of Cassio and Roderigo from Othello

Character Analysis of Cassio and Roderigo from 'Othello' Othello is one of William Shakespeares most acclaimed tragedies. The story of a Moorish general (Othello) and the soldier (Iago) who plots to usurp him, the play features a small cast of characters who are manipulated and pitted against each other as part of Iagos deceitful plan. Two of the key characters are Cassio, Othellos loyal captain, and Roderigo, a man who is love with Othellos wife, Desdemona. Over the course of the play, both are lured into the complex love plot engineered by Iago, one of Shakespeares  best-written villains. Cassio Cassio is described as Othellos honourable lieutenant, and he is given this rank over Iago. The appointment, undeserved in Iago’s eyes, justifies the villain’s cruel revenge against him: One Michael Cassio, a Florentine†¦ / That never set a squadron in the field / Nor the division of a battle knows.(Iago, Act I Scene 1) We know that Cassio is of good standing due to Desdemona’s passionate defense of him. However, Othello is easily turned against him by Iago. In Act II, Cassio foolishly allows himself to be encouraged to go for a drink when he has already acknowledged it to be the wrong thing to do. â€Å"Come lieutenant. I have a stoup of wine, Iago says (Act II Scene 3). I’ll do’t but it dislikes me, Cassio replies. Once the captain becomes drunk, he is drawn into a brawl and attacks Montano, a former Cypriot official, badly wounding him. The attack is an embarrassment to Othello, who is forced to act quickly to appease the Cypriot officials. The Moorish general sacks Cassio on the spot: Cassio I love thee, but never more be officer of mine.(Othello, Act II Scene 3) Othello is justified in this, as one of his men has injured an ally; nevertheless, the scene demonstrates Othello’s impulsivity and his righteousness. In his desperation, Cassio falls into Iago’s trap once more as he implores Desdemona to help him win his job back. His office is the most important thing to him, so much so that he neglects his relationship with Bianca while he is trying to get it back. At the end of the play, Cassio is injured but redeemed. His name is cleared by Emilia and as Othello is stripped of his duties, we are told that Cassio now rules in Cyprus. As the new leader, he is given the responsibility of dealing with Othellos fate: To you Lord Governor, / Remains the censure of this hellish villain. / The time, the place, the torture O enforce it!(Lodovico, Act V Scene 2) As a result, the audience is left to ponder whether Cassio will be cruel to Othello or forgiving. Roderigo Roderigo is Iago’s dupe, his fool. In love with Desdemona and prepared to do anything to get her, Roderigo is easily manipulated by the evil Iago. Roderigo does not feel any loyalty towards  Othello, who he believes has stolen his love from him. It is Roderigo, under the guidance of Iago, who goads Cassio into the fight that gets him dismissed from the army. Roderigo escapes from the scene undetected. Iago tricks him into giving him money to convince Desdemona to be with him and then encourages him to kill Cassio. In Act IV, Roderigo finally gets wise to Iagos manipulation of him, declaring that Everyday thou daff’st me with some device (Act IV Scene II). Nevertheless, he is again convinced by the villain to follow through with the plan to kill Cassio, despite his misgiving. I have no great devotion to the deed, Roderigo says. And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons. / Tis but a man gone. Forth, my sword: he dies (Act V Scene 1). In the end, Roderigo is stabbed his only friend, Iago,  who does not want him to reveal his secret plot. However, Roderigo finally outsmarts him by quickly writing a letter which he places in his pocket, pointing to Iago’s involvement in the plot and his guilt. Although he ultimately dies, he is in some part redeemed by his letters: Now here’s another discontented paper / Found in his pocket too. And this it seems / Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain, / But that, belike, Iago in the interim / Came in and satisfied him. (Lodovico, Act V Scene 2)