Logical Fallacies

Question 1

Hasty Generalization

Answer 1

Making assumptions about a whole group or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate.

Question 2

Ad Hominem

Answer 2

An attack on personality and character.

Question 3

Red Herring

Answer 3

Raising a side issue that distracts the audience from what is really at stake.

Question 4

False Authority

Answer 4

Using an expert to sell something except they are not an expert in what they are selling - they’re an expert in something else.

Question 5

Either-Or

Answer 5

Offering only two choices… when there are clearly more!

Question 6

Slippery Slope

Answer 6

Saying that we allow A to happen, then eventually Z will happen… even though Z is actually unlikely to happen.
AKA: An exaggerated domino effect.

Question 7

Bandwagon
(Most popular logical fallacy)

Answer 7

This appeals to the popularity of an idea. This assumes that the more popular the idea, the more valid (true) it must be.
AKA: “All the cool kids are doing it!”

Question 8

False Cause

Answer 8

Falsely identifying the real cause of an event.

Question 9

Post Hoc

Answer 9

Attributing a cause & effect relationship without proper evidence.

Question 10

Circular Reasoning
(Begging the Question)

Answer 10

A person uses circular reasoning when they support a statement simply by repeating it in different words (an argument that supports a claim by using the claim itself.)

Question 11

Non-Sequitur

Answer 11

Non-sequitur occurs when the arguer reaches a conclusion that does not follow logically from the “proof” offered to support it.
*It literally means “not in sequence.”