Slippery Slope Fallacy

Vocabulary and concepts regarding the slippery slope logical fallacy, including its definition, structure, and illustrative examples from the lecture notes.

Slippery Slope

An argument that attempts to discredit a central claim or sub-claim by arguing that its acceptance will undoubtedly lead to a sequence of events, one or more of which is undesirable.

Reason for Slippery Slope Fallacy

It is considered a fallacy because while a sequence of events may be possible, it is NOT inevitable.

Logical Structure of a Slippery Slope

If $A$ then $B$, $B$ so $C$, $C$ so $D$, $D$ so $E$, concluding that if $A$ then $E$.

Tuition Increase Example

A fallacious argument stating that a tuition increase must be stopped because the next step will be charging $\$40,000$ a semester.

Internet Access Example

The claim that uncontrolled internet access leads to crimes like drug dealing, then to the use of pornographic websites, then to the disintegration of the moral fabric of culture, and finally reducing humans to animals.