Assumptions and Fallacies

Assumptions and Fallacies

Amber Padgett

HUM/111

November 8, 2013

Julie Wachtel

Assumptions and Fallacies

What are assumptions? How do you think assumptions might interfere with critical thinking? What might you do to avoid making assumptions in your thinking?

Assumptions come from information received that you draw a conclusion upon without doing research to determine if the information is factual. Assumptions do not allow us to use our critical thinking skills if we accept the assumption. If we accept information without further research we are ignoring that there are other possibilities. I don’t necessarily think that assumptions interfere with critical thinking because we might draw an assumption before continuing our research. We can make an assumption and then use critical thinking to determine if our assumption or another person’s assumption is factual or not. I think the most important thing I can do to avoid making assumptions is recognizing when I have made an assumption and by remembering that assumptions are almost always wrong. If I recognize that I have made an assumption I will be able to take that assumption and try to prove or disprove it using critical thinking.

What are fallacies? How are fallacies used in written, oral, and visual arguments? What might you do to avoid fallacies in your thinking?

A fallacy is a thought or belief that may be true, but does not provide enough information to prove. It is an opinion that is based upon inaccurate information or poor reasoning. For example, if I said “my husband cheated on me, so that proves that all men cheat”. This statement does not hold any merit and has very poor reasoning behind it. Fallacies are generally used in written, oral and visual arguments to grab our attention and lead us in the direction the person or company want us to go. However, there are times when a fallacy is used unintentionally. Our text this week describes some common fallacies such as either/or thinking,...