0.6 Intro: Common fallacies & biases Flashcards
What is a fallacy?
-Reasoning which is logically incorrect, undermined logic validity of an argument or is seen as unsound.
- Often unsound argument
-It’s fallacious as it fall into the category of reconsied mistakes
What is a non-sequitur?
-argument which doesn’t go anywhere
- premises are clearly false or premises are true but don’t entail conc
Explain the Affirming the consequent fallacy
-Information is given as a one way conditional but argument is still made as if the effect proves the cause
-If P then Q therefore P
-Effect may have may caueses
Explain the Modas Tollens fallacy
-Opposite of a claim is used as evidence for an unjustified conc
- Absence of evidence isn’t evidence of absence
a)Mr Sweet likes people who play video games
b) i don’t play video game
c) Mr sweet doesn’t like me
Explain the circular argument fallacy
-The argument itself is assuming the information you are trying to prove
-We know P because Q. We know Q because P
-There must be a cause outside itself
Explain the False dichotomy fallacy
-Two options are presented as if they are the only options. Black or white fallacy
-Not being able to think of a 3rd way doesn’t mean there isn’t one
-Either p or s ( ignoring Q, R, T)
What is a cognitive bias?
Systematic through process by the tendency of the human brain to simplify info processing through a filter of personal experience & preference
Explain the ad hominem attack
-You dismiss the argument in favour of attacking the arguer
Explain the Appeal to authority
Assuming something is accurate because it is said by someone who isn’t an authority as if said by an authority on the subject that other authorities disagree on. Case of popularity something is correct because someone says so.
-Anyone can be wrong but experts are the best to listen to
Explain Equivocation
-different things are used to mean the same thing
-Cotten is light, what is light isn’t dark so cotton can’t be dark
Explain anecdotal fallacy
-Someone uses proof that relies on personal testimonies in order to support/ refute a claim
- People’s experiences confirm their biases and hence is unreliable in the case of quantitative data
