Begging the Question
The use of the claim as its own justification
(fallacy of evidence)
ex: It’s raining because water is falling from the sky
Non Sequitur
Draws a conclusion that doesn’t follow from the premises
(fallacy of evidence)
ex: Montag stole books, killed his boss, and then joined up with the nomads. In many ways he is like a futuristic Abraham Lincoln.
Draws a conclusion that doesn’t follow from the premises
(fallacy of evidence)
ex: Montag stole books, killed his boss, and then joined up with the nomads. In many ways he is like a futuristic Abraham Lincoln.
Argues that a lack of evidence is itself evidence
(fallacy of evidence)
ex: The Loch Ness monster must exist. People have been unable to prove that she doesn’t.
Appeal to Authority
Submits testimony from an irrelevant or dubious source as evidence
(fallacy of evidence)
ex: Of course I have my doubts about the legitimacy of psychiatry as a science: my favorite actor says it’s all bogus.
Abusive Ad Hominem
Sidetracks the issues by attacking the person
(fallacy of audience)
ex: How can Jones stand up there and tell us to be generous when he can’t even match his tie and his jacket?
Straw Man
A weakened misrepresentation of an opponent’s view
(fallacy of audience)
ex: An ad for IBM computers shows a super old Macintosh with black and white graphics, while next to it a new IBM runs the newest action game.
Tu Quoque
Attempts to discredit an argument based on a person’s hypocrisy
(fallacy of audience)
ex: This guy can’t possibly be a dentist. He has horrible teeth.
Guilt by Association
Uses bad reputations to discredit
(fallacy of audience)
ex: Yeah, that’s a great idea. Didn’t Hitler say the same thing?
Ad Populum/Bandwagon
Convinces by arguing an idea’s popularity
(fallacy of audience)
ex: Thousands of moms can’t be wrong: Tide is the choice for America.
Bifurcation
Reducing possibilities to only two
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: I have noticed some problems with your plan. We need to make a new plan or just give up entirely
Slippery Slope
The prediction of catastrophe base off a series of links started by one particular act
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: Now they want us to start tucking in our shirts, next thing you know they’ll be supervising our personal hygiene.
False Cause
Turns a coincidence or a correlation into a cause
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: Last time a truck passed us we got a flat tire; we’d better look out for trucks from now on.
Hasty Generalization
Concludes too much from too little
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: This sandal uses a braided strap. It must have been made in India.
Sweeping Generalization
Misapplies a true principle to a situation that is exceptional
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: Pets are good for old folks. My grandma, who is allergic to cats, ought to get a cat to keep her company.
Red Herring
Presents an irrelevant topic to divert attention away from the original issue.
(fallacy of reasoning)
ex: I only missed curfew by ten minutes. Would you rather I was out street racing or robbing liquor stores right now? You really need to keep things in perspective.
Question-Begging Epithet
Calls someone a name that implies a quality or fact that is not proved
(fallacy of language)
ex: An individual is accused of murder and the prosecution states, “Ladies and gentlemen, this cold-blooded killer deserves nothing but a cold cell.
Special Pleading
Colors the language according to the arguers’ perspective by citing that one as the exception
(fallacy of language)
ex: Officer, I know I was speeding, but please don’t give me a ticket. I really am a good driver.
Equivocation
Changes the meaning of a word or phrase in mid-discussion
(fallacy of language)
ex: Sugar is a tasty treat. Sugar is also a key ingredient in our metabolic process.
Complex Question
Asks a question that assumes and so corners its respondent
(fallacy of language)
ex: When do you think you’ll drop out of school?
Appeal to Emotions
Manipulates agreement by way of emotion instead of cogent reason
(fallacy of language)
ex: Mrs. Pickering, you can’t give me a C. I’ve worked so hard and spent so many nights up late finishing your papers
