Question

consider the following fallacy. explain why the fallacy applies to the example and create your own argument that displays the same fallacy. the middle ground fallacy has the following form. premise: x and y are two extreme positions on a question. conclusion: z, which lies between x and y, must be correct. example: senator peters supports a large tax cut, and senator willis supports no tax cut. that means a small tax cut must be best. b. let x be no tax cut and y be a small tax cut. there doesnt need to be a z because it is implied. c. one of the senators chose a middle ground position, therefore its a middle ground fallacy. d. let z be the decision for no tax cut, which is not an extreme position. create an argument that displays the same fallacy. choose the correct answer below. a. senator peters supports raising subsidies on corn, and senator willis supports raising subsidies on wind power. that means raising subsidies on both corn and wind power must be best. b. you own two dogs, and your neighbor does not have any pets. on average, you and your neighbor have one dog each. c. you want to order a pizza for dinner, but your roommate does not want to order a pizza. therefore, you should order half of a pizza. d. the national debt has been increasing by $500 billion per year, on average. if this trend continues, the national debt will increase by $2 trillion over the next four years.

Explanation:

In the given example, there are two extreme positions (large tax cut and no tax cut). The conclusion assumes that the middle - ground (small tax cut) is correct without proper reasoning. This is the middle - ground fallacy.

For option C: There are two extreme positions (wanting to order a pizza and not wanting to order a pizza). The conclusion (ordering half a pizza) assumes the middle - ground is correct without considering other factors like appetite, pizza size, etc.

Answer:

C. You want to order a pizza for dinner, but your roommate does not want to order a pizza. Therefore, you should order half of a pizza.