Logical Fallacies Flashcards
Argumentum ad Hominem
attacks the individual so that the idea/belief they hold seems less valid.
Argumentum ad Misericordiam
appeals to pity/sympathy.
Argumentum ad Nauseam
the more an assertion is repeated the more likely it is factual.
Argumentum ad Numerum
the more people who believe in an assertion increases the likelihood that is it factual. Equates popular opinion/mass support with correctness.
Argumentum ad Verecundiam
appeal to authority (false authority). ex: Donovan McNabb selling soup
Begging the Question (tautology)
argument of circular argument; leaves out a beginning explanation.
ex: Bob says I’m trustworthy, I can assure you that he tells the truth.
Bifurcation
black and white thinking, a form of oversimplification, usually both choices undesirable
Hasty Generalization
One and thus all
Sweeping Generalization
All and thus one
Non Sequitur
“it does not follow”, an argument where a conclusion is drawn form ideas that are not connected to it
Post hoc ergo propter hoc/faulty causality
A caused B because A happened first.
Ex: I had been doing poorly this season. I got lucky laces and now I’ve been winning, laces must be good luck.
Weak/False Analogy
Makes a comparison between two things that aren’t really comparable.
Appeal to Traditions
Trying to get someone to accept something because it has been done or believed for a long time.
Slippery Slope
asserts that one event WILL be followed by other, usually harmful, events. (Speculation or conjecture)
Shifting the Burden of Truth
asks the person who refutes (denies) the assertion to prove it’s NOT true.
