Logical Fallacies Flashcards
Equivocation
Using different definitions for the same word.
“Fine to park here.”
Sweeping Generalization
Taking a general rule and applying it to everything.
“Exercise helps a bad heart.”
Begging the Question
Assuming you are right in what your trying to prove.
“The Bible is right, cause it says it is.”
Faulty Dilemma
When one states there are only two options you have to choose from.
“You are a conservative or a liberal.”
Complex Question
Where the question can only be answered by yes or no and either way your wrong.
“Can God create a rock too big for him to pick up?”
False Analogy
Falsely comparing two objects that aren’t relevantly similar.
“Employees are like nails, just hit em on the head.”
False Cause
If one event followed another it’s a cause of the first event.
“I walked under a ladder, and I broke my foot.”
Straw Man
When one misinterprets a view of another to discredit it.
“Those who favor gun control, favor disarming the army.”
Appeal to Majority
When we appeal to it because everyone else does. "50% of the class said it was ok."
Appeal to Tradition
When one appeals to what is old.
“That’s how I’ve always done it.”
Appeal to Pity
Make the person feel sorry for the individual. “I have a C, I need the grade.”
Ad Hominem
Attacking the person.
“Your wrong because you are terrible and gross.”
Appeal to Ignorance
Arguing because it hasn’t been proven true or false.
“Aliens exist because they haven’t ever been proven false.”
Red Herring
Arguing a fact that distracts from the actual issue.
“She is a good doctor because she drives a nice car.”
Hasty Generalization
Gathering too little evidence for your view.
“My taxi driver was rude, all of them are rude.”
