Logical Fallacies & Propaganda Techniques Flashcards
Appeal to authority (also testimonial)
Using words/ ideas of an “expert” to give an argument greater credibility
Ex: “four out of five dentists recommend crust toothpaste”
Argumentum ad hominem (personal attack, name calling)
Attacking the person or group instead of the issue
Ex: “my opponent is a known gambler and womanizer”
Begging the question
Taking for granted something that needs proof; related to circular reasoning
Ex: when asked why students should learn grammar, a teacher replies, “it’s a necessary skill”
Circular reasoning
Repeating one’s claim in various ways rather than providing supporting evidence
Ex: “year round school is effective because students spend more time in school without a break”
Hasty generalization
Fallacy that results from coming to a conclusion based on limited or incomplete evidence
Ex: “opponents to abortion have blown up abortion clinics. Clearly pro- lifers don’t really value life”
Loaded diction (slanted language)
Word choice that appeals to emotions; pos. diction may create glittering generalities
Ex: “is U.s. Seafood tainted by Japanese radiation?”
Non sequitur
An inference or conclusion that does not logically connect to the evidence (literally- does not follow)
Ex: “ I was completely stressed about my chemistry test, so I bought some new lip gloss”
Post hoc ergo Procter hoc
Latin phrase “after which therefore because of which” - aka faulty cause and effect
Slippery slope
An assertion that certain outcomes will lead to increasingly dramatic consequences
Ex: “if we allow the government to collect phone records, we’ll end up living in a totalitarian state”
Logical Fallacy
Fault/errors in one’s reasoning; appears to be logical at first glance, but contains hidden errors
