Logical Fallacies

Vocabulary practice covering various logical fallacies, focusing on their definitions and underlying characteristics based on lecture notes.

Ad hominem (attacking the person)

Attacking the person instead of the argument itself.

Ad baculum (appeal to force)

Using the threat of force or an undesirable event to advance an argument.

Ad misericordiam (appeal to pity)

Using emotions such as pity and sympathy instead of evidence.

Ad populum (appeal to majority or bandwagon)

The idea is presented as acceptable because a lot of people accept or believe it.

Ad antiquitatem (appeal to tradition)

The idea is acceptable because it has been true or done for a long time.

Ad verecundiam (appeal to authority)

Claiming that something is true simply because an authority or expert says it is, especially when the authority is not an expert on the subject or when evidence is lacking.

Dicto Simpliciter (Sweeping Generalization)

Applying a general rule to every case without considering exceptions.

Fallacy of Composition

Assuming that what is true of the parts is also true of the whole.

Fallacy of Division

Assuming that what is true of the whole is also true of its parts.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a conclusion based on too few examples or insufficient evidence.

Petitio Principii (Begging the Question or Circular Reasoning)

Assuming that the statement being proved is already true.

Post Hoc (False Cause)

Assuming a cause-and-effect relationship between unrelated events simply because one happened after the other.