Flaws 8

Correlation → Causation

Two things happen together, so one caused the other

Correlation → Causation

"Coffee drinkers are more productive, so coffee causes productivity"

Necessary vs. Sufficient confusion

Treats "required" as "enough" or vice versa

Necessary vs. Sufficient confusion

"You need talent to succeed, so talented people will succeed"

Unrepresentative sample

Draws a broad conclusion from a biased/small group

Unrepresentative sample

"I surveyed my friends and they all love this policy, so everyone does"

Ad hominem

Attacks the person instead of the argument

Ad hominem

"The study is flawed because the researcher is biased"

False dichotomy

Assumes only two options when more exist

False dichotomy

"Either we raise taxes or cut services" (ignoring efficiency improvements)

Equivocation

Uses the same word in two different senses

Equivocation

"Light colors are light" (color vs. weight)

Composition/Division

What's true of the part is true of the whole (or vice versa)

Composition/Division

"Each player is talented, so the team will win"

Circular reasoning

Conclusion is just a restatement of the premise

Circular reasoning

"This book is the best because it's better than all others"