Untitled Flashcards Set

Ad hominem

Attacking a person or their character rather than making a claim based on reasoning.

Straw Man

Concocting a false scenario and attacking that scenario to make an opponent look bad.

Either-Or (False Dilemma)

Suggesting only two alternate conclusions exist when, in reality, several possibilities exist.

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

Assuming that because one event happened before another, the first event must have caused the second.

Appeal to Authority

Arguing that a claim must be true simply because a recognized authority supports it.

Slippery Slope

Arguing that a change will create a domino-effect of adverse consequences.

Bandwagon

Claiming something is true simply because most people believe it.

Red Herring

Diverting attention by changing the subject.

Equivocation

Using a key term in an ambiguous way.

Appeal to Ignorance

Using human ignorance to make a claim.

Circular Argument

Using unproven evidence to prove something else, then using that to prove the original claim.

Appeal to Pity

Persuading others by provoking feelings of guilt or pity.

Appeal to Hypocrisy (Tu Quoque)

Avoiding engagement with an argument by responding with unrelated criticism.