Fallacies Flashcards
Begging the question
When a proposition which requires poof is assumed w/out proof
Ex) trying to convince someone French fries are healthy on the basis that they are potatoes
Bandwagon
A particular activity/cause has suddenly became fashionable/popular
*makes the writing more persuasive or influential
Distractor
The illegitimate use of a logical operator in order to distract the reader from the apparent falsity of a certain proposition
Ex) referencing an expert
* distracting the reader from the use of logic in order to persuade
False dilemma
A limited number of alternatives is offered when there is at least one other option
Ex) America: love it or leave it
* can force a decision
Straw man
An argument is replaced w/ a superficially equal statement and refuted, while the speaker fails to refute the actual issue
Ex) a: sunny days are good
B: if all days were sunny, we’d never have rain, and w/out rain, we’d have famine and death
* uses exaggeration to convince audience
Scare tactics
To reduce complicated issues into simpler threats to exaggerate a possible threat
Ex) b/c of the possibility of poisoning Halloween candy, communities should ban trick or treating
* cause a fear to sway individuals opinion
Sentimental appeal
Appealing to emotions to win support
Ex)can I get a puppy? Look how cute he is and he’s the last one left!
* distracts audience from facts
Slanted language
An argument in favor of someone/ an idea through missing, misconstructed, or excluded info
Ex) our space program will cost a certain amount of money
* suggests a truth is actually untrue or conveys a false connotation
Spin
Presenting info Ina deceptive way to get the audience to interpret it the way you want
Ex) a warm, crunchy taco, stuffed with meat, lettuce, and cheese
* persuasion
Red herring
Mislead or distracts from the major issue
Ex) sparkle dent is great for reducing cavities, dentists say cavities are the number one dental problem in America
* emotionally charged, distracts audience from the topic of discussion, having them focus in ‘red herring’
Slippery slope
A minor action leads to a significant event through a long chain of logical reactions
Ex) the book ‘if you give a mouse a cookie’
* convinces audience that am action should not be taken because it will lead to something worse
False analogy
An invalid conclusion is drawn from a comparison between two apparently similar situations
Ex) employees are like nails, just as nails must he hit on the head to make them work, so must employees
* not a good comparison and creates a significant falsehood
