Critical thinking Logical Fallacies

Hasty Generalization

Making a sweeping statement without considering all the facts. Suggesting a conclusion based off limited knowledge

Slippery Slope

A conclusion based on the premise that one small step will lead to a chain of events resulting in some significant event

Straw Man

When someone distorts an opponent’s claim so that it’s easier to refute

Ad Hominem

An attack on a person’s character or personal attributes in order to discredit their argument

False Dichotomy

When an argument presents two points while disregarding others in order to narrow the argument in one person’s favor

Appeal to Emotion

When a writer or speaker uses emotion-based language to try to persuade the reader or listener of a certain belief or position

Equivocation

When an argument is presented in an ambiguous double-sided way, making the argument misleading

Bandwagon Appeal

An appeal that presents the thoughts of a group of people in order to persuade someone to think the same way

False Analogy

When 2 things that are unalike are being compared based on a trivial similarity in order to prove a point

Circular Reasoning

When the argument is restated rather than proven

example of hasty generalization:

someone walks into a town and sees 10 kids → they conclude the town is only kids

example of ad hominem

discrediting a male pediatrician because he’s “never been a mom before.”

example of false dichotomy

i thought you were a good person BUT you didn’t donate to charity

example of appeal to emotion

i deserve a second chance to do my assignment because i was really busy and my girlfriend broke up with me.

example of band wagon appeal

my family holds this as truth; therefore, everyone who disagrees is false

example of false analogy

people are like dogs → they respond best to discipline

example of circular reasoning

opium is sleep inducing → opium has sleep educing qualities