Common Logical Fallacies Explained

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument.

Appeal to Ignorance

Claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false.

False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)

Presenting only two options when more exist.

Slippery Slope

Claiming a small step will lead to extreme consequences.

Strawman

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

Circular Argument

The conclusion is repeated in the argument itself.

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim based on limited evidence.

Red Herring

Distracting from the main issue with irrelevant information.

Appeal to Hypocrisy (Whataboutism)

Deflecting criticism by pointing out hypocrisy in the critic.

Causal Fallacy

Assuming cause and effect without enough evidence.

Slothful Induction

Ignoring obvious evidence that supports a conclusion.

Anecdotal Evidence

Using personal experiences instead of solid evidence.

Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy

Ignoring differences and highlighting similarities to claim a pattern.

Middle Ground Fallacy

Assuming the middle position between two extremes is always correct.

Personal Incredulity

Rejecting something because it's hard to understand.

No True Scotsman

Redefining a group to exclude counterexamples.

Bandwagon Fallacy

Believing something is true because it's popular.

Appeal to Authority

Believing something because an authority supports it.

Burden of Proof

Shifting the burden of proof to the skeptic.

Gambler's Fallacy

Believing past events affect future probabilities.

Appeal to Emotion

Manipulating emotions instead of using logic.

Ad Hominem

"You can't trust his opinion on climate change because he's not a scientist."

Ad Hominem

"You're wrong because you always misspell words."

Appeal to Ignorance

"Aliens must exist since no one has proven they don't."

Appeal to Ignorance

"This treatment works because no studies show it doesn't."

False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)

"You're either with us or against us."

False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)

"We can either cut education funding or raise taxes."

Slippery Slope

"If we allow students to redo assignments, they'll never learn discipline."

Slippery Slope

"Legalizing marijuana will lead to the legalization of all drugs."

Strawman

"You want to ban cars because they pollute? You must hate freedom."

Strawman

"So you're saying we should let criminals go free because you don't support the death penalty?"

Circular Argument

"I'm trustworthy because I say I'm trustworthy."

Circular Argument

"The Bible is true because the Bible says so."

Hasty Generalization

"My friend got sick from the flu shot, so vaccines are dangerous."

Hasty Generalization

"All teenagers are reckless drivers based on a few accidents."

Red Herring

"Why are we talking about climate change when there are people starving in the world?"

Red Herring

"How can we worry about safety standards when unemployment is so high?"

Appeal to Hypocrisy (Whataboutism)

"How can you say I shouldn't smoke when you drink alcohol?"

Appeal to Hypocrisy (Whataboutism)

"You say I shouldn't lie, but you lied last week."

Causal Fallacy

"Every time I wash my car, it rains. Washing causes rain."

Causal Fallacy

"Crime rates went up when this mayor took office. It must be their fault."

Slothful Induction

"Even though there are multiple studies, I still don't believe smoking causes cancer."

Slothful Induction

"Despite video footage, I don't think she was speeding."

Anecdotal Evidence

"My grandmother smoked for 90 years and was healthy, so smoking isn't harmful."

Anecdotal Evidence

"I didn't wear a seatbelt once and was fine, so seatbelts aren't necessary."

Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy

"I found three cases of successful people who dropped out of college, so dropping out leads to success."

Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy

"This town has many doctors with heart disease, so heart disease must be caused by being a doctor."

Middle Ground Fallacy

"Some say the Earth is round, some say it's flat. The truth must be somewhere in between."

Middle Ground Fallacy

"One person thinks we should use renewable energy, another says we should rely on oil. Let's just use both equally."

Personal Incredulity

"I don't understand how evolution works, so it must not be true."

Personal Incredulity

"I don't understand how evolution works, so it must not be true."

No True Scotsman

"No true gamer would ever play on easy mode."

No True Scotsman

"A real scientist would never question climate change."

Bandwagon Fallacy

"Everyone uses this app, so it must be the best."

Bandwagon Fallacy

"If millions of people buy this product, it must be good."

Appeal to Authority

"A famous actor uses this skincare product, so it must work."

Appeal to Authority

A doctor said this diet is good, so it must be healthy."

Burden of Proof

"I say unicorns exist, prove me wrong!"

Burden of Proof

"You cannot disprove my claim, so it must be true."

Gambler's Fallacy

"The roulette wheel landed on red five times, so it must land on black next."

Gambler's Fallacy

"I've lost every game so far, so I'm bound to win the next one."

Appeal to Emotion

"Think of all the innocent puppies, you must donate!"

Appeal to Emotion

"If you care about your children, you'll vote for this candidate."