18 Logical Fallacies + examples

ad hominem

a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute

ad populum

This fallacy occurs when evidence boils down to "everybody's doing it, so it must be a good thing to do." (bandwagon appeal)

appeal to tradition

a fallacy which assumes that something old is automatically better than something new

begging the question

A fallacy in which a claim is based on evidence or support that is in doubt.

deduction

the process of moving from a general rule to a specific example

equivocation

"doublespeak" vague language to hide one's meaning.

False Analogy

When two cases are not sufficiently parallel to lead readers to accept a claim of connection between them.

False Delimma

Acting as if there are only limited (two) alternatives to an issue although other alternatives are available.

Hasty Generalization

a fallacy in which a speaker jumps to a general conclusion on the basis of insufficient evidence (stereotype)

Induction

reasoning from specific to general

non sequitur

A statement that does not follow logically from evidence

Occam's Razor

The philosophy that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one

post hoc ergo propter hoc

improperly assuming that a sequence in time implies a cause and effect (after this, therefore because of this)

Red Herring

A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion

reductio ad absurdum

(reduction to the absurd) It involves characterizing an opposing argument in such a way that it seems to be ridiculous, or the consequences of the position seem ridiculous.

Slippery Slope

a fallacy which assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented

Straw Man

A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule and refute an idea.

Syllogism

A form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

Example of Ad Hominem

You should vote against the mayor's proposal because he uses bad grammar and chews tobacco.

example of ad populum

If you were a true American you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want.

example of appeal to tradition

"Oh, we tried that once and it didn't work out so we went back to the old way."

Example of Begging the Question

"Abortion is murder because it is the intentional taking of the life of a human being"

example of deduction

Everything made of copper conducts electricity. (Premise)

This wire is made of copper. (Premise)

This wire will conduct electricity. (Conclusion)

Example of Equivocation

"Giving money to charity is the right thing to do. So charities have a right to our money."

Example of false analogy

"Banning guns on the basis that guns accidentally kill people is like banning cars on the basis that cars accidentally kill people"

Example of False Dilemma

America: love it or leave it

Example of Hasty Generalization

Smoking isn't bad for you; my great aunt smoked a pack a day and lived to be 90.

example of induction

rubbing a pen to create a charge, the paper moves up towards the pen. (no transfer of electrons)

Example of Non Sequitur

People generally like to walk on the beach. Beaches have sand. Therefore, having sand floors in homes would be a great idea!

example of occam's razor

one of the fence posts is broken b/c an old nail rusted through

example of post hoc ergo propter hoc

I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick.

Example of Red Herring

"Grading this exam on a curve would be the most fair thing to do. After all, classes go more smoothly when the students and the professor are getting along well."

example of reductio ad absurdum

rocks have weight, of they did not, they would would float in the air.

Example of Slippery Slope

"If we legalize marijuana, we're going to eventually legalize heroin, and then we're all going to die"

Example of Straw Man

People who don't support the proposed state minimum wage increase hate the poor.

example of syllogism

all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs