This video is a compilation of amusing Direct TV commercials which can be used to demonstrate the slippery slope fallacy. Each one follows the same sort of progression. It starts with having a problem with one’s cable. This problem leads to event A, which leads to event B, then C, and so on until it ends in a rather amusingly absurd ultimate event (such as being bodyslammed by a lowland gorilla). The advertisement then tells us to avoid this absurd event by getting rid of cable and getting direct TV.
I always tell my students that, while logical fallacies have no place in good argumentation, they are perfect for comedy. In fact, many of our jokes rely on logical fallacies. One fallacy with great comedic potential is the slippery slope, largely due to the fact that most slippery slopes end with a ridiculous outcome. In that regard, this compilation of Direct TV commercials is a perfect example.
Though they are all amusing, I usually pick just one or two of the commercials to show to the class. Once we’ve watched it, I have the students relay to me the links in the slippery slope chain in the commercial. I ask them whether this chain is certain, or even likely, to occur given someone’s reliance upon cable. Of course the answer is no, which is, I explain, part of what makes it such good comedy.
We then discuss how a slippery slope might be used in non-comedic ways, such as political arguments.
In addition, I explain to them how a likely chain of events need not be logically fallacious, if they are worded as probabilities and avoid ending in absurd conclusions.
Thus, I have my students try to write a non-fallacious chain of events that tells the consumer why it is “likely better to switch to Direct TV,” thus fixing the advertisement (though undoubtedly ruining the comedy).
Other Resources:
Curtis, Gary N. “Slippery Slope” Fallacy Files. (6/4/2020)
Bennet, Bo.”Slippery Slope,” Logically Fallacious. (6/4/2020).
This section of the Blog of APA is designed to share pedagogical approaches to using humorous video clips for teaching philosophy. Humor, when used appropriately, has empirically been shown to correlate with higher retention rates. If interested in contributing please email the series editor, William A. B. Parkhurst, at parkhurst1@usf.edu.
Timothy McGarvey
Timothy McGarvey is a PhD student at the University of South Florida where he works primarily on Friedrich Nietzsche and Environmental Ethics.
