LogIcal FallacIes

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that are based on poor or faulty logic. These are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim. So, in a debate, it is best to present reasonable arguments rather than using logical fallacies. Here are some popular ones to avoid:

Ad hominem: rejecting or criticizing another person’s view based on personal characteristics, background, physical appearance or other features irrelevant to the argument at issue.

Straw Man: misinterpreting an argument and then attacking that exaggerated version.

Appeal to Ignorance: claiming that something is true simply because it has not been disproven yet.

False Dilemma: claiming that there are only two options while in fact there are more.

Slippery Slope Fallacy: the conclusion of an argument resting on a shaky and unlikely chain of events.

e.g “If we let this child bring the permission slip late, there is no reason to ever set a deadline for anything again!”

Circular Fallacy: when a person’s argument is just repeating what they already assumed beforehand, not arriving at any new conclusion.

e.g “You must obey the law, because it’s illegal to break the law.”

Hasty Generalization: making a claim based on evidence that is just too small.

e.g “I went to a country and the first person I talked to in that country was rude, so everyone in that country must be rude.”

Red Herring Fallacy: cleverly missing the point to draw attention away from the argument.

Appeal to Authority: referring to the expertise of someone who is biased or unqualified to provide information.

Equivocation: a fallacy depending on the double meaning of a word.

e.g “The sign said ‘Fine for Parking’, so I parked here.”

Appeal to Pity: using feelings of sympathy or pity to make someone accept your opinion.

Bandwagon Fallacy (or Ad Populum): claiming that something is true because of popular belief.

See resources: https://owl.excelsior.edu/argument-and-critical-thinking/logical-fallacies/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ieb4nykMg40&list=PLz0n_SjOttTcxvEUVgyvuQN0vneqO917

Watch for more logical fallacies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf03U04rqGQ