Logical Fallacies

Red herring introducing a second argument in response to the first argument that is irrelevant and draws attention away from the original topic. Example: Andy says, “But look at the way dark chocolate is marketed! They never talk about its antioxidants.” > Marketing is NOT relevant to dark chocolate’s nutritional value.

Introducing a second argument in response to the first argument that is irrelevant and draws attention away from the original topic.

Ad hominem

attacking the arguer instead of the argument.

“Dave, you’re an idiot!”

Abusive form

“Dave, you were paid by the chocolate company to make this argument.”

Circumstantial

“You’re a hypocrite! I saw you eating a candy cane.”

Tu quoque

“Nazis also liked dark chocolate better.”

Guilt by association

“Did you know Dave once went to jail for child abuse?”

Poisoning the well

Ad verecundiam

An assertion is deemed true because of the position or authority of the person asserting it.

Straw man fallacy

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument by broadening or narrowing a premise and/or refuting a weaker version of their argument.

Ad populum

(Appeal to widespread belief, bandwagon argument, appeal to the majority, appeal to the people) – a proposition is claimed to be true or good solely because a majority or many people believe it to be so.

Appeal to novelty

(Argumentum novitatis, argumentum ad antiquitatis) – a proposal is claimed to be superior or better solely because it is new or modern.

Appeal to tradition

(Argumentum ad antiquitatem) – a conclusion supported solely because it has long been held to be true.

Genetic fallacy

Evaluating an argument or idea based solely on its source, origin, or history rather than its actual evidence.

False dilemma (false dichotomy)

Presenting two extreme options as the only choices when other valid possibilities exist.

Slippery slope

When someone argues that a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related events culminating in a significant, extreme, and usually negative outcome.