The logical fallacy contained in the excerpt is D. Non sequitur. This fallacy occurs when the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises. In this case, Long argues that various programs and codes (NRA, PWA, CWA, etc.) are ineffective in solving America's problems, but his assertion does not logically connect to a solution for those problems. Instead, he dismisses the alphabet soup of programs without providing a coherent alternative, leading to a conclusion that doesn't follow from his premises.
Read the following excerpt from Huey P. Long's radio address "Every Man a King":
You cannot solve [America's problems] though these various and sundry alphabetical codes. You can have the NRA and PWA and CWA and the UUG and GIN and any other kind of "dadgummed" lettered code. You can wait until doomsday and see twenty-five more alphabets, but that is not going to solve this proposition.
Which of the following logical fallacies is contained in this excerpt?
A. Straw man
B. False analogy
X
C. Circular reasoning
D. Non sequitur
1 answer