logical fallacy

false clause

A mistake where someone thinks one thing caused another just because they happen at the same time or one happens right after the other.

false clause

I started wearing my lucky socks, and then we won the game—so the socks must have caused the win."

straw man

an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

straw man

when one person says "I like Chinese more than Pizza", and the respondent says "Well, you must hate Pizza", they have created one of these.

appeal to emotion

When someone tries to persuade people using feelings instead of facts. They use emotions like fear, sadness, or excitement to get others to agree with them.

appeal to emotion

An ad might show a sad story to make you feel bad so you'll support something, even if it doesn't give real evidence.

bandwagon

You believe something is true/good just because many other people believe it or do it.

bandwagon

"This player must be the best because everyone says so."

appeal to authority

Arguing a claim is true just because an authoritative figure or expert in the field says it is, but you have no evidence to support it.

appeal to authority

1. A professional uses a certain supplement so it must be good. 2. A top scientist says something is true so it must be true. In both examples, they could be knowledgeable sources, but it doesn't make it true without supporting evidence.

slippery slope

Occurs when a person argues their topic without giving proper evidence. This then causes a series of consequences to occur.

slippery slope

A person might say "I'll skip going to the gym just one day because I'm tired". Then they'll skip two days and soon they won't go to the gym at all.

no true scotsman

someone attempts to defend a universal generalization by arbitrarily redefining a group to exclude specific counterexamples

no true scotsman

No Scotsman puts sugar in his porridge.

red herring

A rhetorical tactic where irrelevant information is introduced to distract from the original topic or argument.

red herring

"Mom I failed my History test, but it's okay because I have an A+ in Math." (The kid added that she had a good grade in math to distract her mom from the fact that she failed her History test.)

personal incredulity

A logical fallacy that occurs when an individual concludes that a claim is false or improbable simply because they find it difficult to understand or believe.

personal incredulity

A person isn't able to understand the claim that mouses can fly, so that person concludes that the claim is just false.

black or white/false dilemma

when someone presents only two options as if they are the only possibilities, even though there are actually more choices or a middle ground.

black or white/false dilemma

You either study 5 hours every night, or you're going to fail all your classes.

appeal to nature

You argued that because something is 'natural' it is therefore valid, justified, inevitable, good or ideal.

appeal to nature

Many people may assume that rBST-free milk might be safer than milk that comes from cows that are treated with rBST, but there is no significant difference.

loaded question

Presumptions are put into a question so no matter which way you answer it, you appear guilty or it forces you to accept something untrue.

loaded question

Someone asks their friend,"Why did you lie to you parents?" No matter how the person answers they have to accept that they have lied even if they have not.

burden of proof

When someone makes a claim and makes the opposing party provide proof to deny that claim. They're making a claim but refusing provide evidence, shifting the responsibility to others to disprove it.

burden of proof

A person claims: "Ghosts are real. Prove me wrong."

ambiguity

When a word or phrase has more than one meaning. By using vague language, a person can mislead an audience or change the truth. The fallacy relies on the listener's assumption for one meaning, while the speaker intends behind another.

ambiguity

A worker complained about his pay to the boss. The boss told him: "I'll make sure you get the paycheck you deserve." The worker got his next paycheck, and it was the same as the last one. The boss argued that the worker deserved a steady job not more money.

anecdotal fallacy

When specific examples or personal experience are used in an argument instead of objective data or arguments.

anecdotal fallacy

"Smoking isn't bad for you because my grandpa smokes a lot but he's almost 100 years old".

false choice

A mistake in reasoning where someone presents only two options or sides, even though more possibilities actually exist.

false choice

"Either we ban all phones in school, or students will never pay attention in class."

begging the question fallacy

When an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it.

begging the question fallacy

A company advertising by saying "Our clothing is the best because nobody makes better clothing than us"

special pleading

When someone applies a rule or standard to others but unfairly makes an exception for themselves without a valid reasons.

special pleading

When somebody says, "People shouldn't use their phones while driving," but then claims it's okay when they do it because they're being "careful."