Logical Fallicies

Ad hominem

Attempting to invalidate an opponent’s argument by using a personal trait or fact about them against them instead of logic

“Why should we listen to you, you failed English?"

Red herring

An attempt to shift focus by introducing an irrelevant point

Straw man

Argues against an exaggerated and inaccurate opposition rather than the actual argument

Equivocation

Attempts to mislead or confuse readers by using multiple meanings or interpretations of a word, or using unclear phrasing

Slippery Slope

Arguer claims a specific series of events will occur from a starting point, usually with not supporting evidence

Hasty generalization

A quick generalization made after just considering one or a few examples rather than on extensive research

Appeal to authority

The arguer claims an authority figure’s expertise to support a claim, but the expertise is irrelevant or overstated

False dilemma

Arguer claims something will happen as a result of something else with no evidence to prove that will actually happen

Bandwagon fallacy

Arguer claims a certain action is the right thing to do because it is popular

Appeal to ignorance

A claim that something must be true because it hasn’t been proven false, or the opposite

Circular argument

Uses the same statement as both the premise and the conclusion with no new information or justification being introduced

Sunk cost fallacy

Arguer justifies their decision to continue a specific course of action based on the amount of time or money spent on it

Appeal to pity

Attempts to sway someone’s opinion by provoking them emotionally

Causal fallacy

Implies a relationship between two things that can’t actually be proven

Appeal to hypocrasy

Responds to a claim with reactive criticism rather than a response to the claim itself