Logical Fallacies Flashcards
What is Appeal to Probability?
Assuming that some event WILL happen, on the premise that there exist ONLY SOME PROBABILITY of it happening.
Why does Appeal to Probability happen?
This fallacious conclusion is come to as a way of protecting against loss.
Bulletproof question for Appeal to Probability?
Is this an absolute or a weighted probability?
If so, what is a realistic estimate of that probability?
What is Argument from Fallacy?
This is the assumption that the conclusion of an argument is false because the argument contains a logical fallacy.
Why does Argument from Fallacy happen?
For many people, an argument is a battle more than a search for truth.
Bulletproof question for Argument from Fallacy?
Are my decisions dismissing viable options due to identification of a fallacious premise?
Is there a different argument that makes this particular option viable?
What is Base Rate Fallacy?
Tendency to focus on specific information and ignore general information.
Why does Base Rate Fallacy happen?
People are obsessed with themselves and obsessed with the information in front of them, especially when that information is emotionally relevant.
Bulletproof question for Base Rate Fallacy?
Do I have a proper grasp of the fundamentals of what I am currently looking at?
What can I do better to master these fundamentals?
Who I can seek advice from to ensure I am actually ready to get advanced?
What is Conjunction Fallacy?
We assume that more specific conditions are more probable than general conditions.
Why does Conjunction Fallacy happen?
Always remember that with each new added condition, the likelihood of that outcome is always lower than something with less conditions.
Bulletproof question for Conjunction Fallacy?
Is one option mathematically less probable than another?
Is there a synergy in options with multi-faceted strategies?
What is Masked-Man Fallacy?
The fallacy is mostly used when determining what something ACTUALLY IS from what people CLAIM IT TO BE, and can be used to fallaciously create conclusions about what something IS vs what you or anyone else THINKS IT TO BE.
Why does Masked-Man Fallacy happen?
The reason this situation occurs and why it matters is because people tend to put masks on people they know very well even though they don’t understand the core of human nature.
Bulletproof question for Masked-Man Fallacy?
How interdependent are the variables that I’m examining?
Are they actually linked or is that an assumption?
Am I drawing conclusions from what I know or what I don’t know?
What is Affirming a Disjunct?
We assume “or” to be absolutely exclusive, when it can in fact be inclusive.
Affirming a Disjunct common form?
X or Y
Therefore
Not Y
Why does Affirming a Disjunct happen?
People are so conditioned to believe that something can be X or Y, A or B, Tall or Short, Hot or Cold, that sometimes people forget to ask “Why not both?”
Bulletproof question for Affirming a Disjunct?
Am I making a hasty generalization?
Is there another level I’m not seeing?
Does an absence of one condition allow me to make this conclusion?
Is it really zero sum?
What is Affirming The Consequent?
Practice of using the argument to prove the reverse case of that argument.
Affirming The Consequent common form?
P -> Q,
Q -X> P
Why does Affirming The Consequent happen?
Just because you see a cause and effect relationship does not always mean that when you see that effect that there will always be that same cause.
Bulletproof question for Affirming The Consequent?
Is this the only way to bring about my desired outcome?
Are there other angles to tackle this problem from?
What is Denying The Antecedent?
Practice of using the argument to prove the inverse case of that argument.
Denying The Antecedent common form?
P -> Q,
X(~P -> ~Q)
Why does Denying The Antecedent happen?
Always be more open minded to possible solutions, outcomes, and causal relationships that may actually exist, not just what you assume to exist.
Bulletproof question for Denying The Antecedent?
Do I have the evidence to support my conclusion?
Are exceptions or other relationships that may exist that I am currently blind to?
What is Existential Fallacy?
Argument that presupposes the existence of a particular class of members.
Why does Existential Fallacy happen?
As a result of the visualization, it becomes real, therefore it validates its existence if the subject equates it with reality.
Bulletproof question for Existential Fallacy?
Do you have a description of the outcome AND the process to achieve said outcome?
What is Exclusive Premises Fallacy?
A fallacy that draws its conclusion from two exclusive premises.
Exclusive Premises Fallacy common form?
No X are Y
No Y are Z
Therefore
No Z are X
Why does Exclusive Premises Fallacy happen?
This happens because people assume that the premises exclude one another.
Bulletproof question for Exclusive Premises Fallacy?
Are my foundational beliefs STILL sound?
Must they be adjusted due to new circumstances?
Are there exceptions which may be at play here?
What is the Fallacy of Four Terms?
A categorical syllogism with four terms.
Fallacy of Four Terms common form?
If all X in Y
If all Y in Z
Then all W in Z
Why does the Fallacy of Four Terms happen?
The reason why this happens is because one could be using the same word but a different meaning of the word each time.
Bulletproof question for the Fallacy of Four Terms?
Does a relationship actually exist here?
Are the meanings of the words consistent among your options?
What is the Fallacy of The Undistributed Middle?
The middle term in a categorical syllogism is not distributed.
Why does the Fallacy of The Undistributed Middle happen?
The syllogism does not describe how lions relate to seals, so lions and seals are actually unconnected even though one might see this as a syllogism and erroneously connect them as being the same even though they only belong to the same category.
Bulletproof question for Fallacy of The Undistributed Middle?
Think in terms of Venn diagrams, and understand where everything fits.
What is Poisoning the Well?
When damaging or unhelpful information is given to an audience to defame the person before he is given the chance to speak.
Why does Poisoning the Well happen?
Since people are highly influenced by first impressions, if their first impression is a negative one, it will color the remainder of their interpretation in a way that reflects this first impression.
Bulletproof question for Poisoning the Well?
Remember the bigger goal and accept that you will have to make some uncomfortable decisions. Sometimes, decisions have been made for you by this poisoning the well.
End this by making a rational stance based on what you believe, not how others have tainted your perception, based on their personal agendas.
What is Argument to Moderation?
Flawed reasoning that there is ALWAYS a correct middle ground compromise to any two opposing solutions.
Why does Argument to Moderation happen?
The anchoring and fairness biases are put in play here. We already discuss the anchoring effect in the previous week, but if people feel there should be fairness between two sides, then there is a tendency to find a middle ground.
Bulletproof question for Argument to Moderation?
Is my reasoning/conclusion valid?
Does it align with objective reality, or am I moderating to a middle ground for the sake of “fairness”?
What is Continuum Fallacy?
If X is one extreme, and Y is another, and there is no definable point where X becomes Y, that does not mean there is no difference.
Why does Continuum Fallacy happen?
The fallacy arises when people assume “close enough” is equal to “the same” and then use that information to draw broader conclusions that states even further apart on the continuum do not deserve to be categorized.
Bulletproof question for Continuum Fallacy?
Could there still be a continuum between these two variables despite there not being an obvious direct correlation on the surface?
What is Nirvana Fallacy?
When no PERFECT solution exists, thinking there is no solution worth pursuing.