In deductive reasoning, it is not too hard to fall prey to logical fallacies (i.e., seemingly sensible sounding arguments that are logically unsound). Discuss an example of a logical fallacy (even better yet, an important example; e.g., has a politician used a fallacy to try to win an important argument?)
Logical fallacies are common in political discourse, particularly in reference to highly contested issues in which politicians start grasping at straws.
Fallacies in logic are prevalent in right-wing conservative arguments against gay marriage. Since there are not sound scientifically proven arguments on any assumed disadvantages of gay marriage, politicians rely either on religion (which should have no influence in matters of the law) or presumptuous arguments that have no basis in reality.
The most common example is that gay marriages effect straight marriages. Notably, Ken Cuccinelli, an avid opponent of gay rights, claimed that the equal right to marry should be denied to same-sex couples on account of the possible "consequences" of such legal equality. There is no evidence to suggest that same-sex marriage in any way has a deleterious effect on straight marriages. In fact there is more evidence to suggest that marriage equality benefits society. As if this isn't obvious enough, we need only look to other countries where same-sex marriage has been legal for years to see that society has not been adversely effected and no apocalypse has occurred.
Knowing they are losing the battle against marriage equality, politicians are willing to employ any ludicrous, though unscientific, evidence necessary to support their claim.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/01/the-logical-fallacy-gay-marriage-opponents-depend-upon/251486/
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/matthew-archbold/the-7-most-hilariously-bad-arguments-for-gay-marriage
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/murray-lipp/gay-marriage-is-great-for_b_3370173.html
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