Logical Fallacies Flashcards
Hasty generalization
When a writer arrives at a conclusion based on inadequate evidence or a sample that is too small
Oversimplification
Offering easy solutions for complicated problems
Begging the question
Proving a reason by simply restating the claim in different words (circular reasoning)
Ad hominem
Attacking an individuals opinion by attacking his or her character, deflecting attention from the merit of the proposal
Either or
Oversimplifying by assuming that an issue has only two sides. True or false, yes or no, problem has only two solutions.
Non sequiter
Using a premise to prove an unrelated point
Post hoc
Assumes that because two events occur close in time, the first must be the cause of the second
(False cause and effect)
Poisoning the well
This attempts to prime the audience with adverse information about the opponent from the start, in an attempt to make your claim more acceptable or discount the credibility of your opponents claim
False analogy
An unjustified inference drawn on the basis of similarities between two items or types of items
Ad misericordiam
When someone tries to win support for their argument or idea by exploiting their opponents feelings of pity or guilt
Hypothesis contrary to fact
Arguing from something that MIGHT have happened but didn’t
Slippery slope
Arguing that some event must inevitably follow from another without any argument for the inevitability of the event in question
