Logical Fallacies

Formal Fallacy

An error in the logical structure of an argument, independent of its content.

Affirming the Consequent

Fallacy structured as: If P then Q, Q, therefore P.

Denying the Antecedent

Fallacy structured as: If P then Q, Not P, therefore Q.

Appeal to Force

Fallacy where an arguer poses a threat of harm to enforce acceptance.

Appeal to Pity

Fallacy attempting to evoke sympathy or pity to win an argument.

Bandwagon Fallacy

Claiming something is true simply because 'everyone else' believes it.

Appeal to Tradition

Arguing something is correct solely because it has been done that way for a long time.

Verbal Abuse

Attacking an opponent's character with insults instead of addressing their argument.

Circumstantial Fallacy

Dismissing an argument by pointing out the opponent's personal circumstances or gain.

You Too Fallacy

Rejecting an argument by accusing the arguer of hypocrisy.

Accident Fallacy

Applying a general rule to a specific case with atypical or accidental features.

Straw Man Fallacy

Distorting or exaggerating an argument to make it easier to attack.

Red Herring

Introducing an irrelevant distractor to derail the original topic.

Unqualified Authority

Relying on the testimony of someone who lacks appropriate expertise.

Appeal to Ignorance

Assuming a claim is true because it hasn't been proven false, or vice versa.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a broad conclusion based on an unrepresentative sample.

After Therefore Because (Post Hoc)

Assuming that because Event B occurred after Event A, Event A caused B.

Gambler's Fallacy

Assuming previous independent events affect the probability of future independent events.

Slippery Slope

Relying on an unlikely chain of reactions without sufficient evidence.

Weak Analogy

An argument relying on a weak or irrelevant similarity between compared items.

Begging the Question

A circular argument where the premise presumes the truth of the conclusion.

Complex Question

A question carrying a hidden, unproven assumption forcing a compromised answer.

False Dichotomy

Presenting only two options as if they are the only choices available.

Suppressed Evidence

Intentionally ignoring key evidence that undermines the conclusion.

Self-Sealer

An argument structured so that it is completely immune to falsification.

Equivocation

A fallacy where the meaning of a single word or phrase shifts mid-argument.

Amphiboly

An ambiguity arising from flawed or ambiguous sentence structure.

Composition

Inferring that what is true of a part must be true of the whole group.

Division

Inferring that what is true of a whole group must be true of its individual parts.