Fallacies

Anecdotal Evidence

Using a personal story instead of sound evidence.

Appeal to Authority

Using an authority figure’s opinion as proof.

Appeal to Ignorance

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

Appeal to Popularity

Arguing something is true because many believe it.

Begging the Question

Assuming the conclusion within the argument.

Confirmation Bias

Only considering evidence that supports your beliefs.

False Cause

Assuming one event caused another without proof.

False Dilemma

Presenting only two options when more exist.

Shifting the Burden of Proof

Making others prove your claim is false.

Slippery Slope

Claiming one action will inevitably lead to worse outcomes.

Slothful Induction

Ignoring evidence that contradicts your belief.

Strawman

Misrepresenting someone’s argument to attack it.

Wishful Thinking

Believing something because you want it to be true.

Weak Analogy

Comparing two things that aren’t similar enough.

Red Herring

Distracting from the main issue with irrelevant information.

Scapegoating

Blaming a person or group for problems they didn’t cause.

Special Pleading

Applying rules to others but making exceptions for yourself.

Subjectivist

Arguing something is true for one person but not for another.

Tokenism

Using a small example to prove a broader point.

Vested Interest

Supporting an argument because of personal gain.

Tu Quoque

Responding to criticism by accusing the critic of the same fault.

Complex Question

Asking a question that assumes a controversial premise.

Equivocation

Using a word with multiple meanings to mislead.

Essentializing

Claiming something must be a certain way by nature.

Appeal to Force

Using threats to make someone accept a conclusion.

Appeal to Pity

Using sympathy to persuade instead of logic.

Composition

Assuming a whole has the same properties as its parts.

Division

Assuming parts have the same properties as the whole.

Confusing Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Mistaking what’s needed for what’s enough, or vice versa.

Availability Bias

Overestimating the importance of readily available information.

Big Lie

Repeating a falsehood so often that people believe it.

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim from too little evidence.

Genetic Fallacy

Judging something based on its origin rather than its merits.

Appeal to Nature

Arguing that something is good because it’s natural.

Moralistic Fallacy

Assuming that what should be is what is.

No True Scotsman

Dismissing counterexamples by redefining the category.

Gambler’s Fallacy

Believing past events affect the likelihood of future outcomes.