Argument Terms and Logical Fallacies Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and concepts related to argumentation, reasoning, and logical fallacies.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

A cognitive bias where individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their ability.

Myths (NJC)

Fictions or lies that individuals are invested in and live by.

Misinformed vs. Uninformed

Misinformed individuals are aware of their lack of knowledge, whereas uninformed individuals are not.

Sacrosanct beliefs

Cradle-born beliefs that become integral parts of an individual's identity.

Bias

A conscious or unconscious predisposition to believe in a certain way.

Worldviews (Dunning)

The underlying beliefs about how society should operate, including individualist, communitarian, hierarchist, and egalitarian views.

Moral Spheres (Haidt’s)

Key moral concerns: harm, fairness, community, authority, and purity (CHAP-F).

Toulmin Method

A method of structuring arguments including claim, qualification, grounds, warrant, backing, and rebuttal.

Claim

The argument being made within the Toulmin method.

Ethos

The credibility of the writer or speaker in an argument.

Pathos

The emotional appeal within an argument.

Logos

The logical appeal or reasoning within an argument.

Ad Hominem

A logical fallacy that attacks the person instead of the argument.

Slippery Slope

A fallacy suggesting that a small first step will lead to a chain of related events culminating in a significant outcome.

Oversimplification

Reducing complex situations to overly simple terms.

Either/Or Fallacy

Presenting only two choices when more exist.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

Red Herring

Introducing irrelevant topics to divert attention from the original argument.

Bandwagon

A fallacy that concludes something is true because everyone believes it.

Appeal to Authority

Citing an authority figure who is not qualified to speak on the subject at hand.

Connotation

The implied or suggested meanings associated with a word.

Denotation

The literal or primary meaning of a word, without any emotional associations.