Logical Fallacies

Flashcards covering various logical fallacies including definitions and explanations of each type.

Logical Fallacy

A line of reasoning that does not genuinely support a speaker's point.

Ad Hominem Fallacy

Implying that if a person has shortcomings, their arguments must therefore be deficient.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

Unfairly tries to discredit an argument by taking it to an extreme, making it appear ludicrous.

Either/Or Fallacy

Identifies two alternatives and falsely suggests that rejecting one means we must accept the other.

False-Cause Fallacy

Asserts that if an event occurs before some outcome, the event caused that outcome.

Bandwagon Appeal

Suggests that a listener should accept an argument because many other people have.

Hasty Generalization

A broad claim based on insufficient evidence, usually one or two isolated examples.

Red Herring Fallacy

Introduces an irrelevant detail to divert attention from the point of the argument.

Straw Man Fallacy

Refutes a claim that was never made.

Begging the Question

Supports an argument using the argument itself as evidence.

Non Sequitur

Makes an invalid deductive argument by offering a premise and then drawing a conclusion.

Appeal to False Authority

Uses the testimony of someone who is not an expert on a given topic as evidence.