Logical Fallacies and Rhetorical Appeals Flashcards
Fallacy
A flaw in reasoning or logic
Strawman
An oversimplification or misrepresentation of another’s argument, so that it will be easier to attack
Ad Hominem
An attack on the person/ character of the person, rather than on his or her arguments or opinions
Slippery Slope
The argument that an event will inevitably happen, without any proof/ examples
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
“After this, therefore because of this”. Assumes that because one thing followed, the first thing was the cause
Circular Reasoning
Restates a claim or argument in a repetitive manner rather than proving it. The argument goes in a circle
False Analogy
Argument is based on a misleading comparison
Hasty Generalization
Conclusion is based on insufficient evidence
Red Herring
A diversion tactic that leads people away from the real issues
Ad Populum
Uses popularity of the claim as a reason to accept it
Non-Sequitur
A conclusion does not follow from its premises
Black and White
Presents only two choices when in reality there are more options
Appeal to Authority
Assigns an undue amount of authority to a person, therefore saying that their opinion must be true
No True Scotsman
Questions if something really belongs in the category in which it has been placed/ denies membership based on actions or characteristics
Rhetorical Appeal
A way of convincing someone of something
