Studied by 1 person
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Ad hominem/tu quoque
Attacking someone for who they are, and not the argument
Ad hominem = “To the man”
Your argument can't be right because you're no good.
Tu quoque = “You, too”
Your argument can't be right because you're a hypocrite.
Red Herring
A distraction
If you want proof, I'll give you proof by...changing the subject.
Non-Sequitur
Non sequitur = not in sequence
The conclusion does not seem to follow from the premises.
‘A’ is true; therefore, ‘C’
Connect the dots with some missing explanation/facts.
Bandwagon/ad populum
Ad populum = “To the people”
My opinion is more popular, so it’s correct
Appeal to Authority
I’m right because I have more authority than you.
I am your parent; therefore, I’m right
I am your boss; therefore I’m right
I am the expert; therefore I’m right
Appeal to Tradition
This thing is right because it’s always been this way.
Slippery Slope
Slippery Slope = One misstep will lead to disastrous consequences
If we let A happen, B will happen, the C will happen, and then D will happen... So let’s not do A.
Hypotheticals/Speculation
When the argument hinges on hypothetical future events.
“What if”
Post hoc/false cause
Post hoc ergo propter hoc = It happened after; therefore, it happened because
Because something good or bad happened after something, that something caused the good or bad thing to happen.
Hasty Generalization
Hasty Generalization = Stereotyping
Some of that type are a certain way; therefore, in general, all of that type are that way.
Scapegoating
Blaming a single person or a single group for the issues or problems being faced.
False dichotomy/black and white
False Dichotomy = Falsely into two
There are only two choices here; choose one.
Anecdotal Evidence
Anecdotes = Brief stories
Using personal stories to prove a point rather than statistical evidence.
Guilt by Association
His argument can’t be right because he’s a member of _________.
That idea can’t be right because it’s affiliated with _________.
Equivocation
Misrepresenting the common meaning of words.
Manipulating the meaning of words to wriggle out of an argument.
Hyperbole
Misrepresenting an argument by exaggerating the claim or evidence.
Straw Man
Straw man = A weak or fragile representation of something else.
An argument that sets up the opposing argument in a way that makes it easier to knock down.
Putting words into the mouth of your opponent.
“So what he’s saying is…”
Circular Reasoning
Circular reasoning = A claim where the reasoning is the claim, itself.
The A and the B in ABCDE are the same
You should believe this because it should be believed.
Deliberate Ignorance
I don’t believe your claims, and I don’t really want to hear your argument or evidence.
With this fallacy, an argument can’t take place.
Burden of Proof
Burden of proof: The person who makes the claim has the burden (responsibility) of proving that his/her point is correct.
Appeal to Ignorance: It’s natural to think a double-negative equals a positive, but in arguments, it doesn’t. Appeal to ignorance says that if you can’t prove something wrong, it’s right.
