Logical Fallacies Flashcards
Ad Hominem
Attacking the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself.
Straw Man
Attacking a weaker or more extreme version of your opponent’s argument that is easier to defeat.
Appeal to Ignorance
Arguing that something is true because it has not been proven false, or vice versa.
False Dichotomy
Presents only two options, when in fact there are many. One option is promoted and the other is demonized.
Circular Argument
An argument that commits the fallacy of assuming, what it is seeking to prove. (A because B. B because A)
Slippery Slope
Assumes that one action will necessarily lead to a chain of future events.
Hasty Generalization
A claim based on a few examples rather than sufficient evidence.
Red Herring
An argument that uses distraction to shift attention away from a topic.
Appeal to Hypocrisy
Focuses on the hypocrisy of the opponent to neutralize criticism and distract from the issue at hand (tu quoque)
Causal Fallacy
An argument that incorrectly identifies a cause. (post hoc)
Sunk Cost
When someone continues doing something because of the effort or money they have already invested, even though the additional costs do not outweigh the future benefits.
Appeal to Improper Authority
Appealing to someone as an expert authority, who has no actual expertise on the subject
Equivocation
When a key word or phrase is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument.
Appeal to Pity
Evoking sympathy to win an argument.
Bandwagon Fallacy
Assuming something is true because others agree with it.
