Logical Fallacies and Rhetorical Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering common logical fallacies and related rhetorical and literary terms defined in the lecture notes.

Ad Hominem

An attack on the character of a person rather than his or her opinions or arguments.

Appeal to False Authority

An appeal that presents what most people, or a group of people, think, in order to persuade one to think the same way.

Bandwagon

An appeal that presents what most people, or a group of people, think, in order to persuade one to think the same way.

False Analogy

Comparing two things as if they are alike in important ways when the similarities are insufficient to support the conclusion.

False Dilemma/Either Or

Presenting only two choices when other reasonable alternatives exist.

Fallacy of the Single Cause

Assuming that an event or problem has only one cause when multiple factors may contribute to it.

False Cause Post hoc

Assuming that because one event happened before another, the first event must have caused the second.

Flawed Inversion

Incorrectly reversing a conditional statement and assuming that the reversed statement must also be true.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a conclusion about a larger group or situation based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.

Moral Equivalency

A fallacy that compares minor misdeeds with major atrocities, suggesting that both are equally immoral.

Red Herring

A diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.

Slippery Slope

A conclusion based on the premise that if A happens, then eventually through a series of small steps, through B, C,…, X, Y, Z will happen, too, basically equating A and Z; therefore, if Z is to be prevented, A must not be allowed to occur.

Blasphemy

The dismissing of an argument simply because it violates a sacred, unquestionable, or deeply held dogma (not a logical fallacy).

Calumny

A false and malicious statement, or the act of making such a statement, designed to damage someone's reputation (not a logical fallacy).

Crucible

Severe Test or Trial: A difficult, high-pressure experience that challenges a person or group (not a logical fallacy).

Disembling

Hiding your real feelings, intentions, or facts under a false appearance (not a logical fallacy).

Hysteria

An outdated medical term for behavior marked by uncontrollable emotional excess, or physical and psychological symptoms (such as paralysis, blindness, or seizures) that have no organic or biological cause (not a logical fallacy).

Predilection

A strong liking, preference, or bias in favor of something (not a logical fallacy).

Straw Man

Oversimplifies an opponent’s viewpoint and then attacks that hollow argument.