Types of Fallacies Flashcards
Fallacy
A generalization or conclusion that is made based on non-representative facts. In other words, logical-sounding illogical arguments.
Fallacies Based on Speaker
An argument is based on the speaker’s background or credibility.
Ad Hominem (Argument to the Person)
Speaker Fallacy where the opponent is focused on instead of the opposing viewpoint.
Ex. Jim is biased towards FPS, so his points about Elden Ring is wrong.
Questionable Authority
Speaker Fallacy where the point is being promoted by someone who appears to be credible in that department (but aren’t).
Ex. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, says the apple companies.
Glittering Generalities
Speaker Fallacy where the speaker uses common values that people agree with to gain karma and achieve a goal. Uses loaded language.
Ex. Andrew Tate talking about happy relationships and Hustlin’.
Non-Sequitur (Does Not Follow)
Fallacy where there is a gap in reasoning.
A is a point,
B is evidence for A,
Therefore C is a point.
Appeal to Pity (Argumentum Ad Misericordiam)
Non-sequitur where the argument is fuelled by personal misery or mishaps instead of logic.
Ex. If you experienced trauma, what you say is true.
Appeal to the People (Ad Populum)
Non-sequitur where the argument is fuelled by the majority population’s beliefs.
Ex. If everyone says that apples are bitter, it’s true.
Appeal to Force (Ad Baculum)
Non-sequitur where the argument is threatening and soliciting agreements.
Ex. That time I got robbed by Farzeed Sandhu.
Circular Arguments
Fallacy where premises and conclusions prove each other.
Begging the Question
Circular Argument where the conclusion is alluring in a way that makes the premises appear reliable.
Ex. We should reduce emissions because it is important to protect the environment.
Explaining by Naming
Circular Argument where defining something leads to a conclusion that is not supported by the definition. Could also be used as an x —> x.
Ex. Defining that blue birds sings and therefore make a beautiful song. However, the song might not be beautiful.
False Dilemmas (Definition and Examples)
Fallacy where there only exists very small conclusions that could be made.
Ex. Drugs are killing people, therefore drugs should be completely banned otherwise everyone dies.
Perfect Solution
False Dilemma where you should give up if there’s no perfect conclusion, often unrealistic. Usually ignores acceptable solutions.
Ex. Shoes will become worn out anyways, so why bother wearing shoes.
Sleight of Hand
Fallacy where the argument or conclusion changes as points are made subtly. Ambiguity drives this car.
Slippery Slope
Sleight of Hand where if a conclusion is true, a superficially related conclusion will eventually be true as well, and so on: false cascading effect.
Ex. If the age of consent is reduced from 18 to 17, then it might as well become 16, and so on.
Equivocation
Sleight of Hand where an two or more definitions of a term are all used in the same context and connected to each other (even if the connections are wrong).
Ex. Fire burns things, if my heart is burning, I am ultra-motivated, therefore if I burn myself, I will become ultra-motivated.
Fallacies of Distraction
Fallacy where a point or evidence is used to cover the flaws in logic.
Red Herring
Distraction Fallacy where evidence is used to steer focus away from the argument and lead to new conclusion.
Ex. My car might be bad for pollution, but look at the bus, it uses up more fuel and pollutes more! We should be restricting buses!
Straw Man Argument
Distraction Fallacy where an opponent’s argument is twisted or manipulated so
argument is focused on attacking a made-up over-exaggeration of an opponent or their viewpoint instead of the actual point.
Ex. Argument: Dogs are cute.
Reply: You think rabid animals that bite faces off are cute?
Generalization from Non-Representative Facts
Fallacy where there is not enough or adequate evidence to derive a conclusion from.
Hasty Generalization
Generalization where a conclusion is made based on non-representative or micro sample.
Ex. That one truck cut me off, therefore all trucks are bad drivers.
Post Hoc Fallacy (Post hoc, ergo propter hoc)
A then or before B, therefore A caused B.
Ex. MMR vaccine injected into my child, then a week after, he gained autism. In actually, the child is already on the spectrum.
(Also known as the False Cause)
