Logical Fallacies

Hasty Generalization

• Making an assumption based on too small a sample size. 

• Ex.Two mechanics cheated on me therefore all mechanics are cheaters 

Begging the Question

• a person who is supposed to prove something assumes from the start that it is a fact. 

• Ex. I’m right because I’m never wrong. 

Bifurcation (False Dichotomy)

• Only giving the extremes of two sides of an argument (black and white thinking) 

• Ex. Its my way or the highway 

Red Herring

• Introducing a completely irrelevant topic to avoid a question 

• Ex. A kid complimenting their mother when confronted about a bad grade. 

Straw man

Exaggerating or oversimplifying someone's argument to make it appear less credible.

Ex. ”Gun advocates want to allow criminals and children to own weapons...”

Slippery Slope

• Assuming, without evidence, that a certain action or policy will inevitably trigger a drastic, catastrophic chain of events. 

• Ex. If you allow woman to have abortions then we will stop having children leading to the end of humanity. 

Ad Hominem ("To the Man")

• Attacking the character of the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument. 

• Ex. “You’re wrong because you are a bad person” 

Appeal to Authority

• Citing an expert in one field as an authority on a completely different, unrelated topic, or relying on a vague "expert opinion." 

• Ex. Siting a chiropractor in an argument about nutrition. 

Ad Baculum ("By the Stick")

• Using threats or force to win an argument. 

• Ex. “I will slime you if you don't agree” 

Ad Misericordiam (Appeal to Pity)

• Using pity or a sob story to make your argument more convincing. 

• Ex. “You can't argue with me because my dog died”