Fallacy

Why you should learn about Fallacy?

By Abdul Rahman Bin Rohmat Hidayat [2024545369]

A fallacy is a flaw or error in reasoning that weakens an argument. Fallacies are often deceptive because they may appear logical or persuasive, but they fail under scrutiny. They can be either formal (errors in logical structure) or informal (errors based on content, context, or assumptions).

Types of Fallacy

Personal Attack

Attacking the person instead of addressing the argument.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.

Appeal to Ignorance

Claiming something is true just because it hasn’t been proven false (or vice versa).

False Dilemma

Presenting two options as the only possibilities when more exist.

Slippery Slope

Arguing that a small step will inevitably lead to a chain of negative events.

Circular Reasoning

The conclusion is included in the premise (begging the question).

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim based on a small or unrepresentative sample.

Red Herring

Introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue.

Logical Fallacy

Is a mistake in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or weak, even if it appears persuasive on the surface. It occurs when the conclusion doesn’t logically follow from the premises or when there’s a flaw in the structure of the argument.

Types of Logical Fallacies

Formal Fallacy

A fallacy that arises from a flaw in the logical form of the argument.
Affirming the consequent

Informal Fallacy

A fallacy based on faulty reasoning or assumptions, not the structure.
False cause

Why It Matters

Logical fallacies weaken arguments and hinder critical thinking.
Recognizing them helps you evaluate arguments better and debate effectively.
Avoiding fallacies makes your reasoning more credible and convincing.

Take Note!

Understanding fallacies goes beyond just spotting flawed arguments. It’s about becoming a stronger thinker, communicator, and decision maker. Here are some important things people should know about fallacies:

Fallacies Are Common in Daily Life

Politics (personal attacks instead of policy debates)
Social Media (hasty generalizations and bandwagon thinking)

Fallacies Can Be Intentional or Unintentional

Intentional: Used to manipulate or distract (in propaganda or rhetoric)
Unintentional: Due to lack of knowledge or emotional reasoning

Knowing Fallacies Improves Critical Thinking

Helps you analyze arguments carefully
Makes your own arguments stronger and more logical

Not Every Weak Argument is a Fallacy

A flawed argument might be incomplete or poorly structured, but that doesn't always mean it's a formal fallacy.
Avoid "fallacy labeling" (calling everything a fallacy without clear reasoning).

Learning About Fallacies Makes You a More Respectful Debater

You learn to criticize ideas, not people.
You can correct others kindly instead of attacking them.

Wise man once said,

Fallacies aren’t “gotchas.” They're tools to enhance understanding, not weapons to win arguments. Recognizing and addressing them constructively leads to better conversations and decision-making.

Fallacy Frenzy: Unscramble the Truth

Let's play the game above to enhance your understanding about fallacy!

Test your knowledge of logical errors by unscrambling key phrases about different fallacies.

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