Fallacies Flashcards
Hasty Generalization
Involves jumping to conclusions due to misuse of a small sample size–does not have enough evidence to make a conclusion
False Dilemma
either/or OR black & white fallacy
Either claim x is true or claim y is true (only two options given when others may exist or when both claims can be false)
Ad Hominem
“to the man” means that the argument attempts to win its point by attacking the person and not the argument itself
Post Hoc Reasoning
For A to cause B, it is necessary for A to precede B. not true
Just because A precedes B in time–and even if A precedes B every time-it does not prove that A causes B
Shifting the Burden of Proof
Occurs when someone shifts the burden of proof to avoid explaining it
Circular Reasoning
You assume to be true what you are supposed to be proving
A=B therefore A=B
Red Herring
Fallacy in which an irrelevant topics presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. The basic idea is to win the argument by redirecting attention away from the original argument
Undistributed Middle
A=B therefore A=C
Form of syllogism where middle terms not distributed “ B=C” is missing.
Straw Man
When a person simply ignores the other's actual position substitutes a distorted, exaggerated, or misinterpretted version of that position and attacks that argument Person A has position X Person B presents position Y (distorted) Person B attacks position Y Therefore position X is false
Slippery Slope
Person asserts that some event must inevitably follow from another without any argument for the Inevitability of the question If event X happens Then event Y will occur Then event Z will occur Therefore don't allow event X to occur
Hortative Sentence
Sentence that entreats, advices, or calls to action
Periodic Sentence
Sentence whose main clause is withheld until the end
