Fallacies (AICE Thinking Skills)

Causal Flaw

An error in reasoning that assumes a cause-and-effect relationship without sufficient evidence. It often involves confusing correlation with causation.

Begging the Question

Consists of focusing on an argument on a uncontroversial aspect of an issue while simulating or assuming the key point (urges you to ask a question as it relies on its own conclusion as a premise with any external evidence to support it).

Circular Argument

Consists of relying on a claim in order to prove it. The argument goes around and around without providing additional information to prove as to why (essentially making a claim and then using a rewording of their claim in place as their evidence/reasoning/explanation).

Restriction of options (AKA False Dichotomy)

consists of denying the possibility of certain opinions or actions in order to force or trick someone into accepting an option which they do not choose (typically suggesting there are only one or two options when one knows there could be more)

Slippery Slope Argument

opposing an apparently moderate proposal by alleging that it will inevitably lead to disastrous consequences.

Straw man Argument

misrepresenting opponents’ argument in order to respond to them more easily (deliberately distorted version of opponents’ argument).

Rash generalization

basing a generalization on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence, often leading to inaccurate conclusions.