Logical Fallacies

Ad hominem

A fallacy that involves attacking the character or motives of a person instead of addressing the argument they are making. It shifts focus from the issue at hand to the individual, undermining their credibility.

Ad populum

A fallacy that appeals to the emotions, desires, or prejudices of the audience, suggesting that a proposition is true because many people believe it to be so. Bandwagon

Hasty Generalization

A fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample of data, leading to a broad generalization that may not accurately reflect the situation.

Red Herring

A fallacy that occurs when an irrelevant topic is introduced to divert attention from the original issue, often leading an argument away from its intended conclusion.

False Analogy

A false analogy happens when two things are compared in a way that is misleading or invalid because the similarities are superficial or irrelevant.

Circular Reasoning

Circular reasoning occurs when the argument's conclusion is simply restated as evidence without real support.

Slippery Slope

The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone argues that one action will inevitably lead to extreme and unlikely consequences without sufficient evidence.

Strawman

A strawman fallacy occurs when someone misrepresents or distorts another person’s argument to make it easier to attack, rather than engaging with their actual position.

Non sequitur

A non sequitur fallacy occurs when a conclusion doesn’t logically follow from the premise.

Ad Hominem

We shouldn’t listen to Emma’s idea for improving the school cafeteria—she gets bad grades, so she clearly doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

Ad Populum

Everyone is downloading this new homework app, so it must be the best way to study!

Hasty Generalization

I met two students from Lincoln High, and they were both rude. That school is full of disrespectful people!

Red Herring

We shouldn't worry about cutting sports funding—what we really need to discuss is how teachers should handle student discipline.

Slippery Slope 

"If we let students have one deadline extension, we'll have to grant extensions for everyone for any reason, and then deadlines won't mean anything".

Strawman

A teacher suggests providing better study guides.

Parent- “So you think we should just give out easy A's to everyone and not actually challenge students?"

False Analogy

"Just as a car needs gasoline to run, a student needs snacks to concentrate."

Circular Reasoning

'Why should you make your bed? Because I said so, that's why'

Non Sequitur

"The transmission in my car is acting up again. Therefore, you have to read the book by Friday."