Fallacies Flashcards
What are the 3 types of logical fallacies
- Fallacies of Relevance: when irrelevant conclusions are drawn from the premises of an argument.
- Fallacies of Ambiguity: when an argument involves ambiguous (unclear or confusing) use of language.
- Fallacies of Presumption: when false assumptions are made about the premises of an argument.
Personal Attack
(Ad Hominem)
- An attack on the person instead of the argument, or associating the opponent’s position with a disliked person.
Examples:
“Why would you vote for the policies of a candidate who has unpaid parking tickets? Clearly they don’t care about society.”
Bandwagoning
(Ad Populum)
- Asserting that because most people believe in something it must be true, or because most people do something it must be good/right.
Examples:
“More people watched this Netflix movie this week than any other movie; it must be great!”
C. Appeal to Novelty
(Ad Novitatem)
- Asserting that because something is new / newer, it must be better: not necessarily true.
Examples:
“The next operating system update will make my phone faster and more energy efficient.”
D. Appeal to Tradition
(Ad Antiquitatem)
- Asserting that because something has always been done a certain way, that’s obviously the best / correct way: not necessarily true.
Examples:
“This medicine has been used since ancient times; it must be one of the most effective cures.”
“Our family has always used shouting to resolve conflicts.”
Appeal to Nature
- The incorrect presumption that something is good because it is naturally occurring (or bad because it’s not).
Examples:
“Eat these mushrooms: I found them in the forest; they’re all natural so they must be good for you.”
Appeal to Emotion
- An argument based in emotion rather than reason (eg: fear, pity, patriotism, ridicule, spite, etc.).
Examples:
“If you vote for him, he’ll start a war!”
“I know I’m not qualified, but if you don’t give me this job my children will starve.”
