fallacies

Fallacy Red herring

A red herring is an attempt to shift focus from the debate at hand by introducing an irrelevant point. Example Losing a tooth can be scary, but have you heard about the Tooth Fairy?

Fallacy Straw man

A straw man argument is one that argues against a hyperbolic, inaccurate version of the opposition rather than their actual argument. Example Erin thinks we need to stop using all plastics, right now, to save the planet from climate change.

Fallacy Equivocation

An equivocation is a statement crafted to mislead or confuse readers or listeners by using multiple meanings or interpretations of a word or simply through unclear phrasing. While I have a clear plan for the campus budget that accounts for every dollar spent, my opponent simply wants to throw money at special interest projects.

Fallacy Slippery slope

With a slippery slope fallacy, the arguer claims a specific series of events will follow one starting point, typically with no supporting evidence for this chain of events. Example If we make an exception for Bijal’s service dog, then other people will want to bring their dogs. Then everybody will bring their dog, and before you know it, our restaurant will be overrun with dogs, their slobber, their hair, and all the noise they make, and nobody will want to eat here anymore.

Fallacy Hasty generalization

A hasty generalization is a statement made after considering just one or a few examples rather than relying on more extensive research to back up the claim. Example I felt nauseated both times I ate pizza from Georgio’s, so I must be allergic to something in pizza.

Fallacy Appeal to authority

In an appeal to authority, the arguer claims an authority figure’s expertise to support a claim despite this expertise being irrelevant or overstated.Example If you want to be healthy, you need to stop drinking coffee. I read it on a fitness blog.

Fallacy False dilemma

A false dilemma, also known as a false dichotomy, claims there are only two options in a given situation. Example If you don’t support my decision, you were never really my friend.

Fallacy Bandwagon fallacy

the arguer claims that a certain action is the right thing to do because it’s popular. Example Of course it’s fine to wait until the last minute to write your paper. Everybody does it!

Fallacy Appeal to ignorance

An appeal to ignorance is a claim that something must be true because it hasn’t been proven false—or vice versa. ExampleThere must be fairies living in our attic because nobody’s ever proven that there aren’t fairies living in our attic.

Fallacy Circular argument

A circular argument is one that uses the same statement as both the premise and the conclusion. Example Peppers are the easiest vegetable to grow because I think peppers are the easiest vegetable to grow.

Fallacy Sunk cost fallacy

With the sunk cost fallacy, the arguer justifies their decision to continue a course of action based on prior investment. Example I’m not enjoying this book, but I bought it, so I have to finish reading it.

Fallacy Appeal to pity

An appeal to pity attempts to sway a reader’s or listener’s opinion by provoking them emotionally. example I know I should have been on time for the interview, but I woke up late and felt really bad about it, then the stress of being late made it hard to concentrate on driving here.

Fallacy Causal fallacy

A causal fallacy is one that implies a relationship between two things where one can’t actually be proven. Example When ice cream sales are up, so are shark attacks. Therefore, buying ice cream increases your risk of being bitten by a shark.

Fallacy Appeal to hypocrisy

An appeal to hypocrisy, also known as a tu quoque fallacy, is a rebuttal that responds to one claim with reactive criticism rather than addressing the argument itself. Example How can you tell me not to litter when you just threw a wrapper on the ground?