Logical Fallacies Quiz Prep

Logical Fallacy Definitions

• Hasty Generalization: Drawing broad conclusions based on insufficient evidence; often leads to stereotypes, such as labeling all graduate students as nerdy.

• Missing the Point: Arguments may support a conclusion, but not the one presented by the speaker; leads to irrelevant conclusions despite valid premises.

• Post Hoc (False Cause): Assumes that if one event follows another, the first must be the cause of the second; exemplified by the phrase "after this, therefore because of this".

• Slippery Slope: Suggests that a minor action will lead to major and adverse consequences, without sufficient evidence for such progression.

• Weak Analogy: Relies on comparisons between two dissimilar entities; arguments often fail due to insufficient similarities.

• Appeal to Authority: Persuasion based on the authority’s status rather than on evidence; relies on people's respect for well-known figures.

• Ad Hominem and Tu Quoque:

  • Ad Hominem: Attacks the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.
  • Tu Quoque: Points out hypocrisy in the opponent’s position rather than addressing the argument.

• Appeal to Pity: Attempts to persuade by eliciting sympathies or feelings of guilt rather than presenting logical arguments.

• Appeal to Ignorance: States that lack of evidence against a claim justifies accepting that claim as true; for example, arguing that because no one has proved God's existence, He must exist.

• Straw Man: Misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, focusing on a weaker version rather than the actual stance.

• Red Herring: Introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention away from the original issue, often leaving the main argument unresolved.

• False Dichotomy: Contrives a situation with only two choices, eliminating one to make the remaining option appear as the only feasible choice.

• Begging the Question: Assumes the truth of the conclusion within its premises without providing evidence; often involves circular reasoning.

• Equivocation: Uses ambiguous language to mislead; shifts meanings of a word or phrase throughout an argument to confuse the audience.