Logical Fallacies

Question 1

Ad Hominem

Answer 1

This phrase means, “to the person,” and stands for arguments that are directed at the speaker, not the argument. Discrediting the character of the person making a claim doesn’t make a claim valid or invalid.

Question 2

Appeal to Authority

Answer 2

Borrowed from the Latin argumentum ad verecundiam, an appeal to authority logical fallacy claims a view is true because it’s held by an authority figure.

Question 3

Appeal to Popular Opinion

Answer 3

This argument claims that an idea is true because it’s held by many individuals or a select group of important individuals. It’s also known as the common belief fallacy or bandwagon fallacy.

Question 4

Circular Argument

Answer 4

Circular arguments require you to accept the conclusion in order to make the argument. This arrangement means that the speaker isn’t actually giving any proof of the argument or conclusion.

Question 5

Black & White Fallacy

Answer 5

This argument eliminates all possibilities except two specifically chosen by the speaker. It attempts to force the other person into a predetermined argument rather than allow them to explore other conclusions.

Question 6

Hasty Generalization:

Answer 6

Generalizations occur when a phenomenon is claimed to apply to many different cases without providing logical evidence that it does. It quickly comes to a conclusion and definition of how far-reaching that conclusion is rather than taking time to determine whether one conclusion applies to another situation.

Question 7

Red Herring Fallacy

Answer 7

A red herring is an argument that has little or nothing to do with the primary argument in order to distract the other speaker. The argument appears on the surface to have a connection but doesn’t rationally explain or support the conclusion drawn by the arguer.

Question 8

Slippery Slope Fallacy

Answer 8

This fallacy states that a single step will inevitably lead all the way to the end of a spectrum of events. It often predicts extreme situations as the result of a single step.

Question 9

Strawman Argument

Answer 9

Strawman logical fallacies intentionally or unintentionally creates a poorly crafted or misrepresented view of an opposing view before soundly refuting it.

Question 10

Non-Sequitur/ Causal Fallacy

Answer 10

Non-sequitur arguments offer a premise that appears logical but has nothing to do with the conclusion. Even if it’s a valid point, it doesn’t prove or deny the conclusion in question.

Question 11

Zero Sum Fallacy

Answer 11

Zero-sum describes a game in which one player’s gain is a loss to other players; this is frequently used to divide people. “If this is good them, it must be bad for you…”