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(1) The fallacy of the double question.--The standard example of this is the question:
"How long is it since you left off beating your wife?" Many a person who objects that
he has not received a "straight answer" to his question, has really fallen into this fallacy.
For example, one who is ignorant of the fact that we distinguish between the phase of the
hope which is taught in I Thess. 4: and that which is taught in Col. 3: may be
surprised that we cannot return a "straight answer" regarding "the rapture" and other
related subjects. To require a plain "Yes" or "No" for an answer, may often be an unjust
demand.
(2) The fallacy accidentis.--This fallacy consists in obtaining assent to a statement
with a qualification, and then proceeding to argue as if no qualification had been made,
and vice versa. A common example of this fallacy is the use of the statement that "the
letter killeth". This being agreed, the argument proceeds to discountenance all verbal
study, use of concordances, study of grammar, etc.--a conclusion which is entirely false.
(3) The fallacy called non-sequitur.--When reviewing the pamphlet on Conditional
Immortality in Volume XXIII, page 175, we drew attention to the prejudice introduced
in the opening paragraph:--
"It is a remarkable fact that, with the advancement of the Darwinian theory of
evolution, the doctrine of annihilation became popular."
It may be a fact that these two doctrines advanced together, but what is not a fact is
that the one grew out of or was caused by the other. The mind of the reader, however, is
intentionally led to assume that such is the case. Many other things, some good, some
bad, became popular at the same time, but only some of them were related as cause and
effect. We must, therefore, be on our guard, lest we allow our minds to be persuaded that
because two events are stated in sequence, they are necessarily related as cause and
effect.
Shakespeare puts into Hotspur's mouth a sound refutation of this type of fallacy:--
GLENDOWER.
"At my nativity,
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
Of burning cressets; and, at my birth,
The frame and huge foundation of the earth
Shaked like a coward."
HOTSPUR.
"Why, so it would have done at the same season,
if your mother's cat had but kittened,
though yourself had never been born" (1 Hen. 4: 3. 1, 13).
Many superstitions, faith in certain remedies, and other common beliefs are examples
of this false type of reasoning.
(4) The fallacy called petitio principii (or surreptitious assumption).--The common
name for this form of fallacy is "Begging the question". One can easily fall into it, as for
example: "If one should attempt to prove the being of God from the authority of Holy
Writ" (Whately).