Fallacies Flashcards
Statements that might sound reasonable or superficially true but are actually flawed or dishonest
Fallacies
Latin word which means ‘to deceive’
Falare
Arguments that have invalid logical form
Formal fallacies
Arguments that are also invalid, but their problems arise from their content or context rather than their logical form
Informal fallacies
Fallacy that involves attacking the arguer’s personal situation or traits
Ad Hominem
Fallacy that assume that a proposition is true because there is no evidence against it.
Appeal to ignorance
Fallacy that uses force instead of reasoning to ensure one’s conclusion is accepted
Appeal to power or threat of force
Latin word which means a cudgel, bat or stick for hitting
Baculum
Appeal to power or threat of force in Latin
Argumentum ad baculum
The fallacy consists mistake of assuming an idea is true just because it’s popular
Appeal to popular opinion
Appeal to popular opinion in Latin
Argumentum ad populum
This fallacy happens when someone appeals to the audience’s sentiments to compel support for a conclusion without giving reasons for its truth
Appeal to pity
Appeal to pity in Latin
Argumentum ad misericordiam
Fallacy that exploit the ambiguity of a term or phrase that occurs at least twice in the argument.
Equivocation
Fallacy that unjustifiably limits the available options. This is a form of argument where it presents a condition that suggests only two approaches or solutions to a given issue
False dillema / dichotomy
An informal fallacy in which an equivalence between two things is drawn based on flawed, false, or incomplete reasoning
False equivalence
Fallacy citing an irrelevant authority as evidence of the argument
Irrelevant authority
Fallacy that involves changing the demand put on the opponent during an argument
Moving the goalposts
Fallacy that is committed when what is not a cause or reason of an argument is assumed to be its cause or reason. It means that the cause has nothing to do with the argument
False cause
Fallacy happens when someone immediately jumps into conclusion with insufficient evidence
Hasty generalization
Involves the management of facts, ideas, or points of view to play upon inherent insecurities or emotional appeals to one’s own advantage
Manipulation
Involves the use of lies, partial truths, or the omission of relevant information to deceive your audience
Deception
Involves the giving of something in return for an expected favor, consideration, or privilege
Bribery
It is the use of power to compel action. You make someone do something they would not choose to do freely
Coercion
