Fallacies

Judging a claim based on its source instead of its merits. Example: “That idea came from TikTok → it’s false.”

Genetic Fallacy

Attacking the person instead of the argument. Example: “You’re dumb, so your claim is wrong.”

Ad Hominem

Dismissing a claim because the person is hypocritical. Example: “You smoke, so smoking isn’t bad.”

Tu Quoque

Assuming what’s true of parts is true of the whole. Example: “Each player is great → the team is great.”

Composition

Assuming what’s true of the whole is true of parts. Example: “The team is great → every player is great.”

Division

Claim is true/false because it hasn’t been proven otherwise. Example: “No proof aliens don’t exist → they exist.”

Appeal to Ignorance

Using lack of explanation to justify supernatural causes. Example: “Science can’t explain it → it’s a miracle.”

Ignorance (Supernatural Variation)

Accepting extraordinary claims without extraordinary evidence. Example: “I can teleport → just believe me.”

Ignoring Sagan’s Maxim

Claiming something is false without evidence. Example: “Ghosts aren’t real” (no support given).

Forgetting Negative Claims Need Justification

Claim is true because many people believe it. Example: “Everyone thinks this → it’s true.”

Appeal to Popularity

Claim is justified because everyone does it. Example: “Cheating is fine—everyone does it.”

Appeal to Common Practice

Claim is true because it’s always been done that way.

Appeal to Tradition

Something is good because it’s natural. Example: “It’s natural → it’s safe.”

Appeal to Nature

Claim judged by outcomes instead of truth. Example: “This must be true because it would be good if it were.”

Appeal to Consequences

Belief judged by effects of believing it. Example: “Believing this makes people happy → it’s true.”

Appeal to Consequences of Belief

Using a word with multiple meanings to mislead. Example: “Light = not heavy, light = not dark → confusion.”

Equivocation

Rejecting a claim because it’s confusing. Example: “I don’t get it → it’s wrong.”

I Don’t Understand Words

Rejecting something because it isn’t perfect. Example: “This solution isn’t perfect → it’s useless.”

Nirvana Fallacy

Using feelings instead of evidence.

Appeal to Emotion

Changing the topic to distract.

Red Herring

Misrepresenting an argument to attack it.

Straw Man

Circular reasoning (conclusion assumed in premise). Example: “It’s true because it’s true.”

Begging the Question

Only two options presented when more exist.

False Dilemma Type 1

Ignores neutral/agnostic option.

False Dilemma Type 2

Limits options AND ignores middle ground.

False Dilemma (Both Types)

Small step leads to extreme outcome without evidence.

Slippery Slope

Using unqualified or irrelevant authority.

Appeal to Authority

Argument follows logic and evidence (valid reasoning).

No Fallacy