Fallacies of Content Flashcards
What are the three groups of fallacies under this category?
- Linguistic Manipulation
- Psychological Warfare
- Logical Maneuvers
The objective meaning of a word (what it signifies)
Denotation
The subjective meaning, implying attributes or emotions
Connotation
Fallacies in this group take advantage of the flexibility of connotations to mislead, impress, seduce, or secure sympathies
Exploitation of connotative fluidity
While language conveys truth, it can also conceal it, depending on how it is used
Language as a double-edged sword
Refers to using jargon to intimidate a non-expert audience, making the speaker seem more knowledgeable. It also refers to using jargon to obscure meaning and prevent others from counter-arguing due to confusion
Prestige Jargon
The use of emotionally charged words or images to secure sympathy or support
Emotional Words
The use of words with positive connotations to mask or soften unpleasant truths. Often used to mislead or soften the impact of negative information by framing it in a more pleasant way.
Double Talking (Euphemism)
Fallacies that fall under this exploit the non-rational aspects of human beings
Psychological Warfare
This fallacy occurs when products or ideas are advertised alongside unrelated things to create false associations. The intent is to make the audience connect the quality or image of one thing with the advertised product, even though the two are logically unrelated.
Meaning from Association
This fallacy occurs when someone cites an authority on a topic that falls outside their field of expertise
Misuse of Authority
This fallacy works by repeating the same assertion numerous times, with the intent that people will eventually accept it as true, even if it’s a lie. The psychological principle behind this is that familiar information, even if false, is easier to accept than unfamiliar truth
Repeated Assertion
This fallacy involves tailoring messages to align with pre-existing attitudes of the audience. It inserts people, ideas, or imagery that are either positively or negatively regarded by the audience to manipulate their perception.
Attitude Fitting
Occurs when a small or insignificant gesture is presented as substantial action. This is often used to distract from the fact that real meaningful action is lacking
Tokenism
This fallacy occurs when someone discredits their opponent’s argument or evidence before it is even presented. By dismissing the validity of the argument beforehand, the opponent is effectively prevented from making a fair case.
Poisoning the well
This involves creating false, yet pleasant, expectations to justify or cope with an undesirable situation. When faced with failure or disappointment, people may alter their perspective by convincing themselves that the outcome is actually favorable
Rationalizing
This fallacy occurs when someone uses force or the threat of force to coerce others into accepting an argument or following a directive, instead of providing a logical reason
Argumentum ad Baculum
This fallacy occurs when someone attacks the character or personal traits of their opponent instead of addressing the argument being made. The assumption is that discrediting the person automatically discredits their argument, which is logically flawed.
Ad Hominem
This fallacy occurs when someone uses confident gestures, tone, or language to create the illusion of having a strong argument, even if their reasoning is weak or nonexistent. The appearance of confidence misleads others into believing the argument has merit.
Confident Manner
This set of fallacies focuses on deceiving the cognitive, logical mind. It often requires rhetorical skill and an understanding of logical processes.
Logical Maneuvers
This fallacy occurs when one assumes that what is true for individual members of a group must also be true for the group as a whole
Fallacy of Composition
This fallacy occurs when one assumes that what is true for the whole group must also be true for each individual member of that group
Fallacy of Division
This fallacy occurs when only two extreme alternatives are presented, ignoring any middle ground or other possible options
Fallacy of Dilemma
This fallacy occurs when someone uses a continuous spectrum of minor differences to argue that there is no meaningful distinction between two extremes
Argument of the Beard
This fallacy involves misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack or refute
Fallacy of Strawman
This fallacy occurs when an argument asserts that a particular action will inevitably lead to a series of undesirable consequences, without demonstrating a direct causal link
Fallacy of Slippery Slope
This fallacy involves changing the subject to divert attention away from the main issue, often by discussing irrelevant but related topics
Fallacy of Diversion
This fallacy occurs when an argument assumes the truth of what it is supposed to prove, essentially using the conclusion as a premise.
Begging the question
This fallacy occurs when a lack of evidence for one side of an argument is used to affirm the opposite side. It falsely assumes that if something has not been proven false, it must be true
Appeal to Ignorance
This fallacy arises when an argument relies on two mutually exclusive assumptions, making it logically impossible for both to be true
Contradictory Assumption
This fallacy occurs when someone justifies their own wrongdoing by pointing out similar wrongdoing by others
Two Wrongs Make a Right
