Topic: CONTEST - Correctly name that fallacy

[CapSponge]

One of the few books I have read that I would recommend to others with the observation that it is "biblical" is The Joy of Work by Scott Adams.  He includes a section of 32 logical fallacies, some of them accurately named, most of them just silly examples.

1.  I will provide the example of the fallacy as identified in the book.

2.  Once a person has replied with the correct name of the fallacy, with an explanation, I will give Adams' name and move on to the next.

4.  This string will continue until all 32 fallacies have been covered (might take a while).

5.  Dissent and bickering are encouraged.  This is practice for me too, and I reserve the right to be dead wrong and be corrected!

6.  There is no #3.

[CapSponge]

Example #1

You can train a dog to fetch a stick.  Therefore, you can train a potato to dance.

[Øyvind]

False analogy, potatoes don't have brains.

[Zeno Izen]

Example #1

You can train a dog to fetch a stick.  Therefore, you can train a potato to dance.

False analogy.  A dog's trainability does not carry over to a potato's.

[CapSponge]

ding, ding, ding!  Adams' identification:  "Amazingly Bad Analogy"

Example #2:

On the basis of my observations, wearing huge pants makes you fat.

[PG109]

ding, ding, ding!  Adams' identification:  "Amazingly Bad Analogy"

Example #2:

On the basis of my observations, wearing huge pants makes you fat.

No fallacy, you are fat.

[PG109]

ding, ding, ding!  Adams' identification:  "Amazingly Bad Analogy"

Example #2:

On the basis of my observations, wearing huge pants makes you fat.

Also, correlation fallacy.

EDIT: I guess the Latin name is "Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc."

[Zeno Izen]

ding, ding, ding!  Adams' identification:  "Amazingly Bad Analogy"

Example #2:

On the basis of my observations, wearing huge pants makes you fat.

Unrepresentative sample.  
Vague authority.
(Not using the shotgun effect here.  Either both are right or I miss.)

[CapSponge]

Giving #2 to Paul.  Adams' identification:  "Faulty Cause and Effect."  Suggestion:  a good explanation of this type of fallacy can be found here.

FALLACY #3:

I don't listen to country music.  Therefore, country music is not popular.

[PG109]

Again, no fallacy because you are fat.

[CapSponge]

Again, no fallacy because you are fat.

You are obviously basing your conclusion on a false premise.  You know only that I have an unusually handsome chin.  Prominent, powerful facial structures do not signify obesity, jew killer!

[Zeno Izen]

I don't listen to country music.  Therefore, country music is not popular.[/i]

Small sample.

[Zam]

Hasty generalisation.

[CapSponge]

I'd say Zeno is on it.  I was thinking unrepresentative sample or generalization from specific, but we're thinking the same thing.

EDIT:  Zam was on it, too.

Adams' identification:  "I Am the World"

FALLACY #4:

People choose to be obese/gay/alcoholic because they prefer the lifestyle.

[Zeno Izen]

People choose to be obese/gay/alcoholic because they prefer the lifestyle.

Ignoring the counterevidence.

I'm going to change my answer to unstated major premise.  People don't  necessarily choose to be obese/gay/alcoholic.