Logical Fallacies Flashcards
You failed the second grade, therefore, whatever you say must be wrong
Ad Hominem Argument
Judge: So why did you chop those people into little pieces and put the pieces in a blender?
Crazy Larry: Because God told me to do it.
Judge: Good enough for me. Next case!
Appeal to Heaven
When a women marries her husband she should always have his last name. It is how it’s always been done.
Appeal to Tradition
The stock market will go up this year; a lot of people would lose money if it didn’t
Argument from Consequences
Jane admits that she made the wrong decision to marry Jim, but since the wedding’s been paid for and it starts in an hour, she decides to go ahead with it
Argument from Inertia
Since I am older than you, whatever I say you must do
Begging the Question
You either own a dog or cat
Either-or reasoning
Marry and John both are best friends. Since Marry likes playing soccer, then John must also like playing soccer
False Analogy
Everyone who is a teenager is accused of stealing just because the store clerk saw a group of teenagers
taking something without paying
Guilt By Association
You should not trust Peter with your children. I once saw him smack a child with his open hand
The Half Truth
People generally like to walk on the beach. Beaches have sand. Therefore, having sand floors in homes would be a great idea!
Non Sequitur
I just arrived in this country and the first 2 local people I met were so rude. Everyone in this country must be unfriendly
Overgeneralization
The rooster crows always before the sun rises, therefore the crowing rooster causes the sun to rise
Post Hoc Argument
You’re right, that toy in the toy shop looks really fun. Let’s go home and see what fun toys we have there
Red Herring
I saw a basketball player sneeze; thus, all basketball players have allergies
Where’s there’s smoke, there’s fire
