Common Logical Fallacies and Their Definitions

Accent

Shifting emphasis in a deceptive way

Accident

Trying to disprove a general truth with a specific exception

Ad Hoc

Making up a justification on the spot without evidence

Amphiboly

Sentence structure causes a double meaning

Argumentum ad Ignorantiam

Assuming something is true because it hasnt been disproven

Argumentum ad Baculum

Using threats instead of logic

Argumentum ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of their argument

Argumentum ad Misericordiam

Appealing to pity instead of addressing the issue

Argumentum ad Nauseam

Repeating something so much its believed to be true

Argumentum ad Populum

Claiming something is true because many believe it

Argumentum ad Verecundiam

Citing an authority outside their area of expertise

Black or White

Presenting only two options when others exist

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Hiding or obscuring the intended meaning

Complex Question

Asking a question that assumes something unproven

Composition

Assuming the whole has the same traits as its parts

Division

Assuming each part has the traits of the whole

Equivocation

Using a word in two different senses

Fallacy of the Beard

Denying a distinction because change is gradual

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim based on limited evidence

Ignoratio Elenchi

Distracting from the real issue with unrelated info

Non Sequitur

A conclusion that doesnt logically follow

Petitio Principii

Circular reasoningusing the conclusion as a premise

Post Hoc

Assuming causation from sequence

Slippery Slope

Arguing that one small step will lead to a disaster

Special Pleading

Exempting oneself from the rules without justification

Straw Man

Misrepresenting someones argument to attack it

Truth is in the Middle

Assuming the average equals the truth

False Analogy

Comparing two unlike things as if theyre the same

Poisoning the Well

Presenting negative info to discredit someone before they speak

Stereotyping

Applying group traits to individuals