Fallacy Flashcards
define fallacy
common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument.
when someone says that one small action will lead to a chain of events causing something very bad or extreme; even though there is no real proof that it will happen.
Slippery Slope
When someone makes a quick conclusion about a group or situation without evidence.
Hasty Generalization
This is a conclusion that assumes that if ‘A’ occurred after ‘B’ then ‘B’ must have caused ‘A.’
EX: I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick.
False Cause/ Post Hoc
This conclusion is based on an argument that the origins of a person, idea, institute, or theory determine its character, nature, or worth.
Genetic Fallacy
occurs when an argument’s premises ASSUME the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it.
Begging the Question/ arguing in a circle.
This is a conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices.
Example: We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth.
Either/or
This fallacy happens when someone ignores an argument and attacks the person making it instead.
Example: Green Peace’s strategies aren’t effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.
Ad hominem
This is an appeal that presents what most people, or a group of people think, in order to persuade one to think the same way.
Ad populum/Bandwagon Appeal
This is a diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.
Ex: “I know you don’t want me to borrow the car, but I was going to pick up coffee for you. Don’t you love coffee?”
Red Herring
When the meaning of a word or phrase shifts in the course of an argument.
Ex: Feathers are light. What is light cannot be dark. Therefore, feathers are not dark.
Equivocation
