LSAT_Flaw_Common_Wording_Flashcards
Flaw
Common Wording
Equivocation
It uses the term ‘________’ in two different ways.
It equivocates with regard to a central concept.
It trades on an ambiguity in the term ‘________’.
Circular Reasoning
It presupposes what it seeks to establish.
It assumes the truth of the conclusion in its premises.
It argues in a circle.
Ad Hominem
It attacks the person rather than addressing the argument.
It criticizes the source of the claim rather than the claim itself.
It rejects a claim based on the character of the person making it.
Appeal to Inappropriate Authority
It relies on an authority who is not an expert in the subject matter.
It appeals to an irrelevant authority figure.
It takes an expert’s opinion in one field as proof in another.
Sampling Flaw
It bases a conclusion on a sample that is not representative.
It generalizes too hastily from too small a sample.
It assumes the sample is typical of the group it represents.
Comparison Flaw
It treats two things as similar when they are not.
It overlooks differences that make the comparison invalid.
It analogizes between two cases that are different in a crucial respect.
False Choice
It presents two options as if they are the only ones available.
It fails to consider alternative possibilities.
It assumes a false dichotomy.
Causation Flaw
It confuses correlation with causation.
It overlooks the possibility of a third variable.
It assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused the second.
Straw Man
It misrepresents the opponent’s argument to make it easier to refute.
It distorts the original position to create a weaker version of the argument.
It attacks a mischaracterization of the opposing view.
Appeal to Popularity
It treats the popularity of a belief as evidence that it is true.
It assumes that because many people believe something, it must be correct.
It appeals to what most people think as proof of the argument.
Hasty Generalization
It draws a broad conclusion based on insufficient evidence.
It generalizes from too few cases.
It assumes that a small sample represents the whole group.
Slippery Slope
It assumes without justification that one action will lead to a series of events.
It predicts dire consequences from a single action without evidence.
It suggests that taking one step will inevitably lead to an undesirable chain of events.
False Analogy
It bases its conclusion on an analogy between two things that are not sufficiently similar.
It compares things that differ in critical respects.
It assumes that because two things are alike in one way, they must be alike in others.
Red Herring
It introduces irrelevant information to distract from the main issue.
It diverts attention away from the argument by focusing on an unrelated point.
It sidesteps the original argument by raising a tangential issue.