Fallcies Flashcards
What is a Fallacy
An error in reasoning that occurs in arguments or statements
What is a formal fallacy
When there is a flaw in the structure of an argument making it invalid
What is an informal fallacy
Problems with the content or context of an argument (The story doesnt match the facts)
What is an undistributed middle
When the word connecting two sentences is not talking about what it should and messes up the reasoning
denying the antecedent
If something is this way it means something else must have happened.
What is affirming the consequent
If something happened then that means something inevitably happened before.
What is affirming a disjunct
If one choice in a “This or that” situation is wrong that means the other one is inevitably the right choice.
When the conclusion is not related to the argument or statement
Fallacy of relevance
When an arguer implies harm will come to someone if they do not get their way
Appeal to force
When the arguer tries to make you feel sorry for them or their situation
Appeal to pity
When the arguer tries to get you to do something because other people are doing it
Appeal to people
Almost like an appeal to the people but tries to get you to do something because a crowd of people are doing it.
Appeal to the crowd
When the arguer tries to make you scared or anxious of an outcome so you will believe them
Appeal to fear
When the arguer believes that because lots of people believe or do something it might be right or true
bandwagon fallacy
When the arguer tries to appeal to your pride to manipulate your response
Appeal to vanity
When the arguer tries to persuade you to believe their point because it makes you better than everyone else.
Appeal to snobbery
When an arguer tries to persuade you something is right because it has been done for a long time
Appeal to tradition
Attacking the original arguer based on their character, intelligence, or personal attributes.
Argumentum ad hominem
Creating a generalization about something or some people because of actions by people within a certain group.
Accident
Creating a different argument from the main argument to make the arguers argument look weak
Straw man
Responding to the argument or conclusion with something that does not relate to the main topic at hand
Missing the point
Introducing irrelevant topics into an argument to draw attention away from the main argument.
Red herring
An argument that lacks strong or convincing evidence.
Weak induction
when the arguer tries to support their argument with an unqualified person with a different specialty
Appeal to unqualified authority
when an argument or statement has no evidence or knowledge to support it
Appeal to ignorance
When an assumption is made through an argument about a large group of people
Hasty generalization
An argument or statement that makes assumptions or judgements without taking the time to investigate or consider differences about a group of people
lazy generalization
Creating an argument or statement based on evidence but not taking into account the opposite view or approach
Forgetful induction
When an argument or statement concludes that the first event inherently cause the second
False cause
Occurs when an argument or statement says that the conclusion happened because of an event that happened before the conclusion thus assuming the first event caused the second
Post Hoc
When there is no relation between the event and the outcome
Non cause pro causa
When an argument or statement concludes that the conclusion only has one important factor but there are multiple factors that can lead to the conclusion
Oversimplified cause
When an argument or statement states that past events somehow have an effect on future events
Gamblers fallacy
An argument that assumes if one step is taken it will set of a chain reaction of unwanted events
Slippery Slope
When the argument compares two things that are in no way alike
Weak Analogy
Contain unwarranted assumptions or presumptions
Fallacies of presumption
When the evidence of the argument or statement provides reasoning for itself
Begging the question
When a question poses a presumed answer or reality
Complex question
Presenting an argument that only consists of two possible outcomes.
False dilemma (Dichotomy)
When the argument or statement only present certain facts to support the arguer.
Suppressed Evidence
When something can be understood in multiple different ways
Fallacies of ambiguity
When the meaning of a term or word changes mid statement or argument
Equivocation
when a statement or argument can be interpreted in multiple different ways
Amphiboly
The argument or statement assumes something is true of an entire group though it may not be the case
Fallacies of illicit transference
generalization from part of the group to whole
Composition
Generalization from Whole group to part
Division
Argues something is true because it cant be proven false
Argument from silence
Argues that a position is false because of the details of its creation
Genetic fallacy
The statement made by the arguer does not live up to the standards of the argument
Self-referential incoherence
When the arguer values the information for their argument over information that is not the same as theirs.
Confirmation bias
A set of beliefs about the fundamental guides of realities that guides how you interpret your experiences and live your life
Worldview
