Fallacies Flashcards
Fallacy
Define
An argument that is dishonest or misleading is a fallacy.
Hasty Generalization
A conclusion based on limited evidence.
Ex: Every time I wash my car, it rains.
Stereotype
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.
Ex: Women are bad at driving.
Sweeping Generalization
Using a statement in an all-inclusive way without allowing for any exceptions.
Ex: I’ve been to LA, it’s great!
Glittering Generalization
Drawn to high hopes - an appeal to authority, based on status of person.
Ex: Any political appeal to “change” that’s not backed up by a detailed plan is an example of a glittering generality.
False Analogy
An unfair comparison; the assumption that two things are alike in one way, they must be alike in another way: face equivalency.
Ex: If they can build that stadium, they can fix this pothole.
Either/or
Limited choices.
Ex: Either Brandon Dassey killed that woman or his uncle did.
Non Sequitur
Details are missed that link ideas - starts with a claim, no evidence follows, typically is followed by a change of subject.
Ex: Bob likes to read. He will make a great teacher.
Ad Hominem
Attack on the person rather than the issue.
Ex: Pretty much everything Trump says.
Red Herring
A distraction, keep the reader off of something negative about the speaker or writer.
Ex: Sure, we haven’t given raises in over five years to our employees. You know, we work really hard to make a good product. We try to ensure the best customer service, too.
Causal Fallacy
Incorrectly link timeline to circumstance; should look at circumstances not timeline.
Ex: If X is a common factor in multiple occurrences of Y, then X is a cause of Y. (Think Maury)
Ad Hoc
Because one event happens before another event, the first event cause the second to happen.
Ex: I had cancer and I prayed for it to go away and it did. I was healed from cancer by God!
Post Hoc (ergo prompter hoc)
After this, therefore because of this. The mistaken notion that simply because one thing happens after another, the first event was a cause of the second event.
Ex: You have a cold, so you drink fluids and two weeks later your cold goes away.
Argument from Ignorance
Supposes that a thing is true because you cannot prove that it is not true - often when religion is brought in.
Ex:
Ad Misiericoriam
An appeal to pity.
Ex: ASPCA commercials and the like.
