Common Logic Fallacies

Causation / Correlation

Assumption that because two things occur together, they must be directly related. (Confuses correlation with causation). Also may fail to see that the casual relationship is reversed

Cause/Effect Reversal

Assumption that the cause led to the effect, but instead the effect may have led to the cause

Biased Sample

Generalizes a conclusion from a biased sample (i.e My family says my invention is useful, so everyone in the world must need it”

Overgeneralization

Generalized conclusion from too few cases (i.e Johnny and Anna did not do the homework, so no one in the class must have done the homework)

Part vs Whole

Assumption that what is true of a part must true of the whole, or vice versa (i.e The goalie of the soccer team is an excellent player, so the whole team must be great)

Possibility vs Certainty

Assumption that something must be certain just because it is possible

Absence of Evidence

Mistakes absence of evidence for evidence of absence

Circular Reasoning

An argument’s conclusion is already assumed within it’s premise (i.e The book is true because it says inside the book that it is true)