Logical Fallacies

Non sequitur argument D

Means “does not follow.” This argument reaches a conclusion that does not follow the premise.

Non sequitur argument E

I read about a python eating an alligator. My neighbor owns a python. My life is in grave danger.

Begging the question D

Known as circular reasoning. A claim is made and accepted to be true, but one must accept the premise to be true for the claim to be true.

Begging the question E

"Dear Friend, a man who has studied law to its highest degree is a brilliant lawyer, for a brilliant lawyer has studied law to its highest degree." Oscar Wilde, De Profundis.

Circular reasoning D

The writer continues to restate the premise instead of giving reasons for the premise.

Circular reasoning E

Everyone wants a new X Box because it is the hottest gaming system of the season.

Strawman argument D

The writer substitutes a person’s actual position with an exaggerated or distorted version of the argument.

Strawman argument E

My school presidential opponent says he wants ‘to increase recess time.’ That must mean he hates learning, wants all of us to fail, and has no respect for education or school at all.

Ad hominem argument D

The writer attacks the person rather than the issue.

Ad hominem argument E

My school presidential opponent once got caught stealing money, so you can’t believe anything he says about anything, because he’s a bad person.

Hasty generalization D

The writer draws a conclusion with information that is insufficient, not considering all the variables.

Hasty generalization E

My algebra class is hard; my cousin says his algebra class is hard, too. All math classes must be exceedingly difficult.

Overgeneralization D

The writer draws a conclusion about a group of people, ideas, things, etc. with limited evidence. Stereotyping, for example.

Overgeneralization E

Every used car salesman lies to make more money on a sale.

Post hoc argument D

The writer assumes a cause/effect relationship when the evidence is only a correlation.

Post hoc argument E

I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick.

Either/or argument D

The writer posits that there are only two possibilities, when there likely is more.

Either/or argument E

We can either ban hairspray and save the ozone, or the people of the world can die.