Download propaganda and logical fallacies

PROPAGANDA AND LOGICAL FALLACIES
PROPAGANDA
We often think of propaganda as something negative, as in a con or a lie.
But propaganda really doesn't have anything to do with negative or positive. It's a technique of persuasion.
What propaganda is…
 Refers to any technique that attempts to influence the opinions, emotions, attitudes or behavior of a
group in order to benefit the sponsor.
COMMON PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES
1. Bandwagoning
 Everybody else is buying this product. Jump on the bandwagon.
 Example: Rambler blue jeans are worn by most teenagers.
2. Card Stacking
 It is selective omission that is usually used for things the promoter KNOWS are harmful where they only
present one side of the information and omitting the contrary.
 Example: Saying “Representative McNerd introduced more new bills than any other member of the
Congress," and neglect to mention that most of them were so preposterous that they were laughed off
the floor.
 However, it is NOT something like an advertisement for junk food that neglects to mention that it’s
fattening.
3. Glittering Generalities
 Adjectives are used in the outstanding form to place the product in the glittering spotlight. The point is
that the phrase sounds good but says nothing definite.
 Example: Super Nova, the newest car is the finest car on the market because it is the fastest. Here are
some others : "Simply the best," "the Right Stuff," "Nutrition That Works."
4. Lesser of Two Evils
 A technique that tries to convince us of an idea or proposal by presenting it as the least offensive option.
 This technique is often implemented during wartime to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to
justify difficult decisions. This technique is often accompanied by adding blame on an enemy country or
political group. One idea or proposal is often depicted as one of the only options or paths.
5. Name Calling
 Implications and innuendos are used to make a product, a person, or a group of people sound bad
 Example: My opponent is a slithering snake who tricks everyone into believing that he is good for this
country and its goals.
6. Pinpointing the Enemy:
 This is an attempt to simplify a complex situation by presenting one specific group or person as the
enemy. Although there may be other factors involved the subject is urged to simply view the situation in
terms of clear-cut right and wrong.
 Pinpointing the enemy is used extremely often during wartime, and also in political campaigns and
debates.
7. Plain Folks
 An appeal to the common person by appearing to be “just like them” or having the same values like
family, patriotism, etc.
 Examples: a prominent politician eats at McDonald’s; an actress is photographed shopping for groceries
8. Transfer
 Glory or guilt by association; We transfer the feelings we have of a person/idea we either love or hate
and respect or disrespect to the group or idea wanting acceptance
 Example: Looking very athletic and extremely fit, Michael Jordan is standing next to a famous brand of
Swift clothing with a smile on his face.
LOGICAL FALLACIES
 A fallacy is, very generally, an error in reasoning. This differs from a factual error, which is simply being
wrong about the facts.
 To be more specific, a fallacy is an "argument" in which the premises given for the conclusion do not provide
the needed degree of support.
 Logical fallacies can be the sign of an unskilled arguer; however, they can also be used for: (1) effect in
writing, (2) advertising and media, and (3) evaluation of an argument.
COMMON LOGICAL FALLACIES
1. Ad hominem
 A fallacy that involves replying to an argument or assertion by attempting to discredit the character of the
person offering the argument or assertion
 Example: Mayor Smith's opinions about local crime are worthless. He can't even manage to hold his own
household together, having been married and divorced three times already.
2. Appeal to Tradition
 A fallacy that argues to either repeat or not start something because this is the way is has always been done
 Example: Texas A&M has always had a bonfire, so it should continue.
3. Begging the question/circular reasoning – Argument Ad Nauseam
 Instead of offering evidence, people simply restate their initial statement in different words
 Example: Mr. Green is a great teacher because he is so wonderful at teaching.
4. Doubtful Cause - post hoc, ergo propter hoc ("after this, therefore because of this").
 Implies because one thing happened after another that the two things are related
 Example: "Janet and John both scored 98 on the history test; therefore John is as intelligent as Janet." (This
does not take into account the fact that one of them studied for two days and one for half an hour.)
5. False Analogy
 Uses an incorrect comparison (think apples to oranges) and occurs when we assume that two things that are
alike in one specific way are alike in other ways.
 Example: Skis and roller skates are both strapped on your feet. Skis help you travel over snow efficiently, so
roller skates would help you travel efficiently over snow.
6. False Dilemma/Either-or
 Simplifies a complex problem so that only two options are presented. They are stated in such a way as to
make you believe that there are no other options.
 Example: “Some beach balls are yellow. Some beach balls are red. Therefore, if you have a beach ball it
must be either yellow or red." Well, it might be; however, nowhere is it written that beach balls can't be blue or
purple or multi-colored.
7. Hasty Generalization
 Results when a conclusion is reached from too few examples, often from an oversimplification or bias
 Example: The first six people who voted all said they had voted Democratic. It looks like a big victory for
Democrats this election.
8. Non Sequitur
 Presenting as evidence ideas that have no logical connection to each other
 Example: Hilary Clinton is a woman, so our immigration policy is in real trouble.
9. Red Herring
 The use of irrelevant or information to support an argument. The info may be compelling or unrelated, but
either way it is distracting.
 Example: We need to spend more money on education. Just because the Russians are increasing military
spending doesn't mean we should. The future of the nation depends on the children of today.
10. Slippery Slope
 The assumption that one event can cause of an undesirable chain reaction of events
 Example: If you don’t get to bed early, then you’ll be too tired to do well on the GRE tomorrow. If that
happens, then you won’t get accepted into a decent graduate school, and you’ll end up a washed-out
alcoholic living in a trash-bin.
11. Straw Man
 The person arguing attacks a view that is similar but not the same. It can also be used to divert attention
away from the original argument.
 Example: Arguing against defense spending by claiming that peace is more desirable than war. Since almost
everyone believes the war is undesirable, this argument avoids the more difficult question of how peace is
secured.