AP Lang flashcards #8

logical fallacies

Affective Fallacy

The error in criticism of judging a work's value based on the emotional effect it has on the reader, rather than its internal structure.

Alternative Truth / Alternative Fact Fallacy

presenting false information as if it were a fact, often as a form of propaganda to mislead or manipulate public opinion. 

It is not a traditional logical fallacy, but rather a deception or a lie, though it can be considered fallacious if it is based on the false premise that a lie can be equivalent to a fact

Argumentum ad Coelum

Claiming to know the will of God or a higher power to justify one's position. It is also known as the "appeal to heaven".

Appeal to Tradition

An argument claims something is right or true simply because it's old or has always been done that way.

Argumentum ad Baculum

Someone tries to persuade another by appealing to their fear, rather than evidence or reason. It can involve physical threats or a broader range of abusive power, such as a threat of job loss, denial of services, or social ostracization.

Argumentum ad Ignorantiam

Asserting truth based on lack of evidence: A statement is considered true because there is no evidence to prove it false.

Argumentum ad Populum

A proposition is asserted as true because many people believe it. Also known as an "appeal to popularity" or "appeal to the people," this argument relies on the opinion of the majority rather than on evidence or logical reasoning to support a claim

The Big Lie Technique

Propaganda technique where a falsehood is so colossal and outrageous that people assume no one would have the audacity to invent such an enormous untruth. This allows the lie to gain acceptance, especially if it is repeated frequently.

No True Scotsman

A speaker modifies a universal claim in response to a counterexample by changing the definition of the group to exclude the counterexample. 

Instead of admitting the generalization is wrong, the person argues that the counterexample is not part of the "true" group. This is also known as an appeal to purity and is used to protect a sweeping generalization and make an argument unfalsifiable.

Genetic Fallacy

when an idea, argument, or claim is dismissed or accepted based solely on its origin, rather than on its actual merit

Argumentum ad Hominem

Attack focuses on the character, motive, or other attribute of the person to discredit their position.

Argumentum ex Culo

Used to dismiss an argument as foolish or illogical. It is a form of rhetorical insult, not a formal logical fallacy, and is not found in academic or legal texts.

Latin for “Argument from the butt”

Strawman

someone misrepresents or exaggerates an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

Red Herring

Where an irrelevant topic or piece of information is introduced to distract from the original issue in an argument or discussion.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

A cognitive bias where people with low ability in a specific area overestimate their own competence, while those with high ability often underestimate theirs