Learn: Common Logical Fallacies

ad hominem fallacy

a mistake in reasoning where someone attacks the character, motive, or traits of the person making an argument instead of addressing the actual facts or logic of the argument itself.

slippery slope fallacy

when someone claims that a small first step will cause a chain of bad events, ending in a major disaster, without showing any proof that the chain reaction will actually happen

false dilemma fallacy

occurs when an argument falsely claims that only two choices exist while hiding other valid options or middle grounds.

non sequitur fallacy

a flaw in reasoning where the conclusion does not logically follow from the given premises

Shifting the burden of proof fallacy

when someone makes a claim and incorrectly forces another person to disprove it instead of providing their own evidence

Coincidence is Not Cause

The false cause fallacy occurs when someone assumes that because two things happen together or in a sequence, one must have caused the other

Overstating the conclusion

when an argument claims more than its evidence can actually prove