12.9 Quiz: Identifying Faulty Instantiation

Question 1 of 5

1. Question

Why don’t I stop my son from being the school bully? Well, hey—boys will be boys, you know.

This is fallacious, because the rule “boys will be boys” expresses only the view that boys are generally more into rough and tumble play, not that they should be excused for bullying other kids.
This is fallacious, because boys shouldn’t act like boys, but gentlemen.
This is fallacious, because we don’t really know that this parent’s son really is a bully.
This is fallacious, because girls can be rambunctious, too.

Question 2 of 5

2. Question

Look, lady. Yeah, I know you need to keep an eye on your kid. But that restroom is for women only. So you can’t take your one-year-old boy in there.

This is fallacious, because there is no reason why any boy can’t use a women’s bathroom.
This is fallacious, because while it is true that older boys in the restroom would make many women feel their privacy is being violated, a year-old boy is still a baby and would not likely disturb any women.
This is fallacious, because while it is true that older boys in the restroom would make many women feel their privacy is being violated, a year-old boy is still a baby and would not likely disturb any women. Moreover, the mother can’t very safely just leave the baby outside while she is inside.
This is fallacious, because bathrooms are unisex these days.

Question 3 of 5

3. Question

Lying to your children is just plain wrong. So you should never have told your young daughter that Santa will be bringing her gifts.

This is fallacious, because since our children belong to us, we can lie to them at will.
This is fallacious, because the young daughter will after all be getting gifts for Christmas, just not from Santa Claus.
This is fallacious, because this lie is a common one.
This is fallacious, because the myth of Santa Claus (and the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny) are myths that give pleasure to children without harming them in any way, or making them worse people (such as racists) in any way.

Question 4 of 5

4. Question

Morphine is a powerfully addictive drug. Taking it just to make life easier is a tragic waste. So tell that surgeon not to give you morphine for your upcoming open heart surgery.

This is fallacious, because while morphine is very addictive, it is a powerful painkiller, and you will only be using it for a brief period in a very painful surgery.
This is fallacious, because all drugs can be habit-forming.
This is fallacious, because it is a myth that morphine is addictive.
This is fallacious, because the person giving the advice is not a doctor.

Question 5 of 5

5. Question

Why are you so upset that you neighbor is building a nuclear weapon? The Constitution guarantees us the right to keep and bear arms, right?

This is fallacious, because the neighbor may not be entitled to Constitutional protection.
This is fallacious, because while the Second Amendment gives us the right to keep and bear arms, this has always meant just rifles and pistols.
This is fallacious, because there is no evidence that the questioner is an expert in Constitutional Law.
This is fallacious, because the right to keep and bear arms is an archaic Constitutional amendment that should be junked.

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