Fallacies Flashcards
Fallacies
Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim.
slippery slope
This is a conclusion based on the premise that if A happens, then eventually through a series of small steps, through B, C,…, X, Y, Z will happen, too, basically equating A and Z. So, if we don’t want Z to occur, A must not be allowed to occur either. (you cant just jump from A to Z based on your own opinion, ex one car banned leads to all cars being banned)
Dicto simpliciter/Hasty Generalization
This is a conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence. In other words, you are rushing to a conclusion before you have all the relevant facts. (for example you cant base your opinion on a year long class off one day)
Post hoc ergo propter hoc:
This is a conclusion that assumes that if ‘A’ occurred after ‘B’ then ‘B’ must have caused ‘A.’ (for example - I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick. no actually evidence to support your claim)
Genetic Fallacy:
This conclusion is based on an argument that the origins of a person, idea, institute, or theory determine its character, nature, or worth. (The Volkswagen Beetle is an evil car because it was originally designed by Hitler’s army. two very completely things)
Begging the Claim
The conclusion that the writer should prove is validated within the claim. (Filthy and polluting coal should be banned.,Arguing that coal pollutes the earth and thus should be banned would be logical. But the very conclusion that should be proved, that coal causes enough pollution to warrant banning its use, is already assumed in the claim by referring to it as “filthy and polluting.”)
circular arrangement/circular reasoning
This restates the argument rather than actually proving it. (George Bush is a good communicator because he speaks effectively. your not providing any info to prove this is true but rather saying the same thing)
False dilemma/Either-or
This is a conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices (We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth. in this they are excusing the fact there are many other options)
Ad hominem
This is an attack on the character of a person rather than his or her opinions or arguments. (Green Peace’s strategies aren’t effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies., you cant attack what someone did purely based off of who they are)
Ad populum/Bandwagon Appeal
This is an appeal that presents what most people, or a group of people think, in order to persuade one to think the same way. Getting on the bandwagon is one such instance of an ad populum appeal. (If you were a true American you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want. - kind of pure pressuring them to agree)
Red Herring
This is a diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them (The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their families? - trying to work your way around answering the question)
Straw Man
This move oversimplifies an opponent’s viewpoint and then attacks that hollow argument. (People who don’t support the proposed state minimum wage increase hate the poor. - getting rid of any of their reasoning to make them then look bad)
Moral Equivalence
This fallacy compares minor misdeeds with major atrocities, suggesting that both are equally immoral. (That parking attendant who gave me a ticket is as bad as Hitler. - making something small sound equivalent to something much worse)
appeal to pity (ad misericordum)
occurs when someone attempts to persuade others by provoking feelings of guilt or pity (making them feel bad for not agreeing)
appeal to authority (ab auctoritate
occurs when we accept a claim merely because someone tells us that an authority figure supports that claim. An authority figure can be a celebrity, a well-known scientist, or any person whose status and prestige causes us to respect them. (for example when people were picking who to vote for based off who supported them)
ad baculum/appeal to force
type of logical fallacy that occurs when someone uses force, threat, or intimidation to convince others of the validity of their argument, rather than using logic or reason. (for example if someone said something like “You must agree with my plan, or else you’ll lose your job.”)
