Understanding Logical Fallacies

Logical Fallacies

• Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that can seem persuasive but are flawed. They are used to convince the unwary.
• Types of logical fallacies discussed:
  • Straw Man Fallacy
  • Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
  • Slippery Slope
  • False Dilemma
  • Ad Hominem
  • Tu Quoque
  • Red Herring
  • Faulty Analogy
  • Bandwagon Appeal
  • Hasty Generalization
  • Appeal to False Authority
  • Circular Reasoning

Straw Man Fallacy

• Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
• Example:
  • Son: "Can we get a pet dog?"
  • Mother: "No"
  • Son: "Why not? It will protect us as well."
  • Mother: "Still, No"
  • Son: "Why are you leaving us and the home unprotected?"

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

• Assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second.
• Correlation does not equal causation.
• Example:
  • Rally caps don't control the future.

Slippery Slope

• Arguing that one action will inevitably lead to a series of negative consequences, often without sufficient evidence for each step.
• Example:
  • "We have to stop the tuition increase! The next thing you know, they'll be charging $40,000 a semester!"

False Dilemma

• Presenting only two options as possibilities when more exist.
• Example:
  • Arguing that there are only two possible positions, mine and something really, really bad.

Ad Hominem

• Attacking the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.
• Example:
  • Saying something like: Of course you would say that, you're an idiot!

Tu Quoque

• Defending oneself by accusing the opponent of the same flaw.
• Example:
  • Mr. Messner: Stop giving your students mean names. That's disrespectful.
  • Me: What? I heard you call your students "nematodes" this morning.

Red Herring

• Distracting from the main argument with irrelevant information.
• Example:
  • I still believe in Global Warming. Do you?

Faulty Analogy

• Using a flawed comparison to support an argument.
• Example:
  • Guns are like hammers, both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone. Restricting the purchase of hammers is ridiculous.

Bandwagon Appeal

• Supporting an argument by suggesting that it is popular.
• Example:
  • 50,000,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong.

Hasty Generalization

• Supporting an argument without enough evidence.
• Example:
  • "People should never wear hoodies. Mark Zuckerberg wears hoodies."

Appeal to False Authority

• Supporting an argument with a source that is not credible.

Circular Reasoning

• Proving an argument by assuming it must be true.
• Example:
  • "I have a right to say what I want, therefore you shouldn't try to silence me."