Types of Argumentative Flaws

logical fallacy

an error in reasoning

fallacy of composition

incorrect assumption that what is true for individual parts must also be true for the whole

fallacy of division

incorrect assumption that what is true for the whole must also be true for individual parts

category mistake

incorrect attribution of a property or concept to something that does not belong to that category

circular reasoning/begging the question (petitio principii)

an argument’s conclusion is assumed in its premises

false dichotomy/false dilemma

limiting a choice to two extremes, ignoring other possible options

straw man fallacy

misinterpretation/exaggeration of an argument to make it easier to refute

ad hominem

attacking a person’s character instead of addressing their argument

slippery slope/causal chain fallacy

an argument that suggests one action will lead to a chain of events, without sufficient evidence

equivocation

reuse of a word/phrase with different meaning in the same argument without clarification

non sequitur

the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises or evidence presented

generalisation

a wide conclusion based on insufficient evidence from limited examples

red herring

introduction of irrelevant information to divert attention

false cause/post hoc fallacy

confusion of correlation and causation, false narrative of cause and consequence

appeal to ignorance

assumption that a claim is true because it has not been proven false

reification

treatment of an abstract concept or idea as concrete reality

unstated premise

an implicit assumption that isn’t directly mentioned but is necessary to support the conclusion of the argument

universalisation

incorrect application of a specific rule/principle universally without consideration of exceptions or differences

is-ought problem (Hume)

logical gap between facts and values, one cannot derive moral conclusions from purely factual statements

reductionism

oversimplification of an issue, favouring a simplistic and reductive explanation

self defeating argument

an argument that contradicts or undermines its own claim

internal contradiction

parts of an argument conflict with each other making it logically inconsistent

epistemic circularity

an argument that relies on a justification that itself relies on that argument

fallacy of exemption

use of an unjustified exemption

ad hoc reasoning

introduction of a new explanation into an argument to counter criticism without adequate justification or supporting evidence

reduction ad absurdium

disproving an argument by proving that it is absurd