Critical Thinking

Equivocation

When a sentence has 2 meanings due to structure/similar words.

Ambiguity

When word/phrase can be interpreted in many different ways, no indication of how to interpret

Misleading Accent

Emphasis leading to words/phrases to direct listener to a conclusion

Illicit Contrast

Listener jumps to conclusion/reads minds

Vagueness

Imprecise terms or phrases, leading to different interpretation.

Distinction Without a Difference

Insisting two things are different when they are not

Is-ought

Because we do something now, we should keep doing it.

Naturalistic

Because something is natural, it is good/superior compared to the unnatural

Moralistic

How things should be, is the way things are

Tradition

Because we did (or didn't) do something a certain way in the past, we should (or shouldn't) do it that way now

Novelty

Because something is new, it is better and we should do it instead

Chronological

Because something was done/believed in the past, we should not do/believe it now

Composition

Whatever is true of the parts of something, is true about the whole

Division

Whatever is true of the whole is true of the parts

Continuum

Argues small differences make no difference to the outcome of a decision or an event

False Alternatives

Presenting only 2 options when there are really more than 2 options

Mean

Taking the middle position, just because its the middle

Faulty Analogy

Comparing 2 things that are not comparable to the speaker’s argument

Misuse of Principle

Applying a generally valid principle too broadly, to the point that the application becomes unreasonable

Appeal to irrelevant authority

Citing/supporting a claim from someone who is not a valid authority

Genetic

Evaluating something based upon where it came from

Historian’s

(Genetic) Says from hindsight that future effects of past actions should have been accurately predicted from current circumstances

Psychologist’s

Person’s actions or beliefs are attributed to their assumed psychological states (Mind Reading)

Common Opinion

Ideas/opinions/positions that are accepted or rejected based on their popularity

Bandwagon

Doing something just because others are doing it

Popular Wisdom

Citing a common phrase as a reason for believing/doing something

Appeal to Emotion

Leading people to accept/reject claims or premises by exploiting their emotions instead of using evidence

Adverse Consequences

Accepting or rejecting an idea because of it’s consequences for you

Appeal to force

Accepting/Rejecting idea because of speaker’s threat

Self-Interest

Accepting/Rejecting idea because you/other will benefit

Rationalization

Using excuses to justify a position

Special Pleading

Applying different rules/criteria to yourself compared to others

Wishful Thinking

Assuming that because you want something to be true, it will be true

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person not the argument

Tu Quoque

You do it too/You don’t do it yourself