Determine the fallacies of weak induction in the following argument and give a brief explanation of your answer.

We don't dare let the animal-rights activists get their foot in the door. If they sell us on the idea that dogs, cats, and dolphins have rights, next it will be chickens and cows. That means no more chicken Kiev or prime rib. Next it will be worms and insects. This will lead to the decimation of our agricultural industry. The starvation of the human race will follow close behind.

Question

Lilyana

English

31 March, 11:22

Determine the fallacies of weak induction in the following argument and give a brief explanation of your answer.

We don't dare let the animal-rights activists get their foot in the door. If they sell us on the idea that dogs, cats, and dolphins have rights, next it will be chickens and cows. That means no more chicken Kiev or prime rib. Next it will be worms and insects. This will lead to the decimation of our agricultural industry. The starvation of the human race will follow close behind.

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Answers (1)

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Isabella Poole · Answer 1

Slippery slope.

Explanation:

A fallacy is demonstrated as the flaw or error in the reasoning of the argument which makes it unsound and invalid.

Slippery slope fallacy is described as the flaw in an argument that falsely asserts a minor or small step leading to a series of major events that are quite significant to a particular consequence.

As per the description, the given argument displays 'slippery slope' fallacy as the minor event ('the animal-rights activists get their foot in the door') leading to a series of events ('if they sell us on the idea that animals have rights, next ... insects') which would bring significant yet unintended consequences (' will lead to the decimation of our agricultural industry', 'starvation of human race will follow'). Thus, the argument fails logically to establish the appropriate cause leading to the significant effect and hence, displays 'slippery slope' fallacy.