Fallacies of Evidence

Question 1

Begging the Question

Answer 1

The use of the claim as its own justification

It’s raining because water is falling from the sky

Question 2

Non Sequitur

Answer 2

Draws a conclusion that doesn’t follow from the premises

My dog named max like dog food, so everyone named max likes dog food

Question 3

Appeal to Ignorance

Answer 3

Argues that a lack of evidence is itself evidence

If you don’t have an alibi for your whereabouts last Friday night, we have to assume that you were at the crime scene

Question 4

Appeal to Authority

Answer 4

Submits testimony from an irrelevant or dubious source as evidence

Of course I have my doubts about the legitimacy of psychiatry as a science: my favorite actor says it’s all bogus.