Argument Flaws

Question 1

Confusing necessary and sufficient conditions

Answer 1

Assuming that because X guarantees Y, that X is required for Y (or that because Y is required for X, that Y guarantees X)

Question 2

Assuming correlation proves causation

Answer 2

Assuming that because X and Y are associated with each other, X must cause Y

Question 3

Overlooking costs/benefits

Answer 3

Citing to the costs of something without considering the benefits (or vice versa)

Question 4

Confusing part v. whole

Answer 4

Assuming that what’s true about the individual parts of X must also be true about X (or vice versa)

Question 5

Unrepresentative samples

Answer 5

Drawing conclusions about a group based on a sample that we have reason to think is meaningfully different from the group

Question 6

Hasty generalization

Answer 6

Drawing broad conclusions from too little evidence

Question 7

Analogies that aren’t analogous enough

Answer 7

Assuming that because X and Y are similar in one respect, they must be similar in another respect

Question 8

Attacking the source of the argument (ad hominem)

Answer 8

Attacking the person/group making the argument instead of the argument itself

Question 8

False dichotomy

Answer 8

Assuming only two options exist (or that the available options are mutually exclusive)

Question 9

Percentages v. amounts

Answer 9

Assuming that the proportion of something proves the amount of the thing (or vice versa)

Question 10

Lack of support vs. false conclusion

Answer 10

Assuming a conclusion is false simply because the argument in support of that conclusion is weak (or assuming that because something hasn’t been proven true, that it must be false)

Question 11

Relative v. absolute

Answer 11

Assuming a relative relationship proves an absolute quality (or vice versa)

Question 12

Equivocation

Answer 12

Using the same term in two different ways without acknowledging the shift in meaning

Question 13

Appealing to authority in an area outside their expertise

Answer 13

Relying on an expert in one field to support a conclusion concerning a different field

Question 14

Circular Reasoning

Answer 14

Presenting a conclusion that is simply a restatement of a premise

Question 15

Confusing “is” for “ought”

Answer 15

Deriving conclusions that assume value judgments based on premises that are only factual

Question 16

Belief v. facts

Answer 16

Assuming that because people believe X, that X is true (or that because X is true, people must believe or be aware of X)

Question 17

Confusing possibility, probability, and certainty

Answer 17

Assuming that because something is possible that it’s probable/certain (or that because something is probable, it is certain)