ACADEMIC CENTERS

The Slippery Slope

The slippery slope, sometimes known as the Camel's Nose*, fallacy occurs when a writer wishes to argue against something and suggests that if it were to be allowed to happen, a series of progressively increasing unacceptable events will result.  The slippery slope fallacy is the illegitimate use of the if-then logical operator.

Example:

If the union concedes to management's wage concession this year, then every following year, the company will demand more and more concessions until we are working for free. (But, if the company returns to profitability, we may get a better package in the next contract!)

Strategy: Identify the false relationship and show that even if the first event happens, the last event will not necessarily result.

* The Camel's Nose Fallacy is that should the camel get his nose under the tent flap, it won't be long until the whole camel is inside the tent.

 




Did You Know?
Out of 1,200 community colleges in the nation, Sinclair is one of 20 board member colleges of the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Sinclair is the largest regional provider of online education, with more than 180 different online courses.
Sinclair's student/faculty ratio of 19 to 1, among the lowest at Ohio's colleges, allows students to receive more individual attention.
Sinclair faculty is consistently awarded for their teaching excellence.

Courseview Campus Center | Englewood Learning Center | Huber Heights Learning Center
Online Learning | Wright-Patterson AFB
Privacy Statement | Security Policy | About this Site | Site Map | Contact Us
444 West Third Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402 | 1.800.315.3000
© 2008 Sinclair Community College   All Rights Reserved