Fallacies in Critical Thinking

Fallacies in Critical Thinking

Getting Personal

In the getting personal fallacy, there is a focus on the perception of another hence hindering the consideration of their ideas. In this, a person perceives a thing based on their attitude rather than looking at the facts. For example, Eleanor is always the top student in science, and the class instructor likes her due to her contributions in class. Also, they went to college together with Eleanor’s father, who was well behaved and was one of the student leaders. However, Eleanor is one of the cheerleaders in the school, and she is also a bully. She is fond of harassing Emmie, who lately transferred from a school in Canada. She denied Emmie teases her due to her body size, and Emmie cries and has low self-esteem. Emmie reports the issue to the class instructor, who promises to take action. However, she asks Eleanor if she is harassing her classmate, but she denies it, and the instructor believes her. She believes that her father, who is highly disciplined, cannot bring up a child who is not well disciplined. Hence, the instructor fails to investigate the complaints by Emmie.

Another example is that of Donald, who is environmentally conscious. Donald drives a Volkswagen Passat that he bought recently from his car dealer. However, upon hearing news about the emission scandal and the admission of Volkswagen, he vowed never to drive a car from the company again because they had contributed to environmental pollution. It is despite the company accepting the mistake, recalling the vehicles, and promising to produce environmentally-friendly vehicles in the future. The company has depicted that its recent car models meet the emission requirements and have been tested by professionals and various environmentalists. However, Donald is not convinced that the company could produce environmentally friendly vehicles and does not consider the statements they have made.

The Gambler’s Fallacy

The gambler’s fallacy assumes that there all occurrences are patterns leading to a positive situation. It is based on the notion that negative outcomes are reduced upon the occurrence of the event. This fallacy empowers gamblers to bet and risk more money even after their successive losses. The first example of the gambler’s fallacy occurs in betting soccer matches. One may assume that they would win based on the improvements they have been making over the weeks. These improvements may not be visible but implied to justify their appetite to place the bet. However, the lack of any scientific basis for this argument, implies that the assumed pattern and connection were created by the biased receptors, aimed to prove the existence of a positive connection between resilient betting and actual wins. These biased receptors encourage one to gamble their money as it appears as the best decision to make. Such decisions are based on a fallacy that is against reality to create a shadow where one would consistently make wrong decisions in betting until they quit or go bankrupt.

The second example is in relation to intimate relationships. A person in love tends to base their judgments based on feelings they have on their partner and what they tell them rather than their actions. For instance, a lady may stick with her abusive boyfriend, who always promises to change but does not stop his abusive tendencies. The man is very manipulative because, after every instance, he apologizes and takes her on a very romantic date, but after a few months, he physically abuses her. Her friends and parents have advised her to walk out of the abusive relationship, but she’s not ready because she loves him and believes he would be worse without her.  She has the notion that the boyfriend needs love and attention, and they will change with time. In this case, she stays with her boyfriend, who she marries and tolerates physical, psychological, and emotional torture.

A Precautionary Tale

The precautionary principle is based on the aspect that one perceives harm and refrains until there is scientific research. Most of this is related often happens when people have a negative perception of new technology because inventors do not have scientific or environmental profit that their products are safe. One of the examples was the perception that the use of mobile phones pose risks of cancer. With this information, a person may choose not to buy a phone to ensure that they do not get cancer. Phones pose a risk, and it is dependent on the use of the phone, but it is not yet scientifically proven. Phone manufacturers cannot prove that because there is scarce scientific evidence to discredit such an argument. If one does not use the phone, they will miss out on various advantages of phone use while just reducing the risk of cancer. Moreover, if lawmakers could depend on such information, they would put in place policies that would hinder technological development, and this would be detrimental.

Another prominent example is that of global warming that has led to heated debates internationally. Many people and countries have taken measures to ensure that global warming is reduced. One of the aspects is that of Europe shifting from gasoline and diesel cars to electric cars. Moreover, there are other emission controls all over the world to ensure that there is a conservation of the environment to stop climate change. However, the research on global warming is still limited, and many people, including senior politicians, have discredited it and depict it as a perception or a hoax.