Logical Fallicies

Ad Hominem

Latin for to the man. Directly attacks

Hasty Generalization

A conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.

False Dilemma

A complex situation is presented as having only two possible outcomes or choices.

Begging the Question

A circular argument where the support only restates the claim.

Post Hoc

The assumption that because B happened after A, A must have been caused by A.

False Analogy

A comparison that claims similarities between things even though their important differences outweigh their similarities.

Slippery Slope

Claiming that one action will cause a chain reaction that leads to increasingly extreme or terrible consequences without enough evidence.

Red Herring

Going off on a tangent or raising a side issue that distracts the audience from what is really at stake.

Bandwagon

Suggesting that something is acceptable or correct because other people in the group believe or accept it.