common logical fallacies

Hasty Generalization

A judgment made before the facts are in, often based on insufficient evidence, leading to prejudices.

Faulty Use of Authority

The attempt to bolster claims by citing the opinions of experts, without considering the possibility of disagreement among authorities.

Post Hoc or Doubtful Cause

The fallacy of inferring that because one event follows another, the first event must be the cause of the second, without sufficient evidence of a causal relationship.

False Analogy

An analogy that is merely descriptive and offers no proof of the connection between the two things being compared.

Ad Hominem

The Latin term ad hominem means 'against the man' and refers to an attack on the person rather than on the argument or the issue.

False Dilemma

The false dilemma, sometimes called the black-white fallacy, poses an either-or situation.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when an arguer predicts that taking a first step will lead inevitably to a second, usually undesirable step, without providing evidence.

Begging the Question

A fallacy where the writer assumes that the very question being argued has already been proved.

Straw Man Fallacy

A fallacy that involves misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

Two Wrongs Make a Right

A fallacy that diverts attention from the question at issue by pointing out that the opponent has done something wrong.

Non Sequitur

A fallacy of irrelevance where a conclusion does not logically follow from the premises.

Ad Populum

A fallacy that appeals to the prejudices of the people, assuming a claim can be defended without further support.

Faulty Emotional Appeals

Appeals to the emotions of the audience that are considered illegitimate or 'counterfeit proofs' when they distract from the argument or conceal another purpose.