Question

Read the excerpt about Paco and Arthur’s debate.

Paco and Arthur are debating about conserving energy. Paco argues that it is important for people to save as much energy as possible to try to help the environment. Arthur argues that people should use their energy however they want because they pay for it.

Which statement is an example of a straw man fallacy based on this debate?

Conserving energy can have an impact on the environment.
People already pay for energy, so they should be able to use it.
Because Arthur refuses to conserve energy, he hates the environment.
If Paco can persuade Arthur with the argument, they can conserve energy.

Answer 1

"Because Arthur refuses to conserve energy, he hates the environment."

This misrepresents Arthur's position (he says people should use energy as they want because they pay for it) by attributing an extreme, unrelated motive — a classic straw man.