Logical Fallacies

either-or fallacy

• “snap decision” group

• an argument that suggests there are ONLY 2 options or potential outcomes. 

• ex. “someone finishes their test early —> either really smart or really stupid”

hasty generalization

• “snap decision” group

• rushed conclusion w/o considering all factors/variables.

• ex. “meets nice kids in school —> all kids in the school are nice”

appeals to ignorance

• “snap decision” group

• saying smth must be true/false bc there is no evidence

• ex. “god doesn’t exist, you can’t prove he does“

bandwagon appeal

• “people” group

• many people believe/agree w/ it —> must be true/good/acceptable

• ex. “many people have tried it, you should as well“

authority fallacy

• “people” group

• having a source of authority “endorse” your argument

• ex. “this celebrity believes it so it must be true”

ad hominem

• “people” group

• attacking person rather than addressing real argument

• ex. “pineapples don’t belong in pizza! you’re stupid!”

slippery slope

• “that’s a stretch” group

• minor action —> major action OR consequences

• ex. “If you don't pass tomorrow's math exam, then you can't take calculus next year.“

faulty/false causality

• “that’s a stretch” group

• one event follower another —> first caused the second

• ex. “It rained because I washed my car”

weak analogy

• “that’s a stretch” group

• analogy that’s too dissimilar to be effective

• ex. “guns are like hammers—they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone.”

appeals to pity / overly emotional appeals

• “look over there!” group

• appeal to pathos is basis

• ex. “buy this product to save a puppy from dying”

straw man argument

• “look over there!” group

• related to topic BUT avoiding the topic

• ex. “one loves the color blue —> other thinks they hate red”

non-sequitur fallacy

• “look over there!” group

• conclusion/statement that doesn’t logically follow from previous argument/statement

• ex. “I read about a pitbull attack. My neighbor owns a pitbull. My life is in danger.”