Mrs. Greer Logical Fallacy Review

Equivocation

Concealing a step in reasoning by tacitly shifting from one meaning of a word or expression to another

Conflation

Concealing a step in reasoning by treating two words or expressions as if they were interchangeable even though their meaning are different

Circular Argument

Relying on a claim in order to prove it

Begging the Question

Focusing an argument on an uncontroversial aspect of an issue while stipulating or assuming the key point

Invalid Deduction

Affirming the consequent or denying the antecedent

Causal Flaw

Claiming that just because one event or phenomenon follows another (post hoc) or is accompanied by another (cum hoc) it must be caused by the other

Rash Generalization

Basing a generalization on inadequate evidence

Sweeping Generalization

Not allowing for exceptions to a generalization

Restriction of Options (false dichotomy)

Denying the possibility of moderate opinions or actions in order to claim that anyone who rejects one extreme must accept its opposite

Confusion of Necessary and Sufficient Conditions

Interpreting a necessary condition as if it were sufficient or sufficient condition as if it were necessary

Slipper Slope Argument

Opposing an apparently moderate proposal by alleging that it will inevitably lead to disastrous consequences

Personal Attack (ad hominem)

Criticizing opponents personally instead of responding to their arguments

Counter-attack (tu quoque)

Rejecting criticisms on the grounds that opponents or other people are guilty of the same or equally objectionable conduct

Straw Man Argument

Misrepresenting opponents’ arguments in order to respond to them more easily