Definitions
What is ad populum?
An improper appeal to the majority.
The world is flat because Michael told me it was!
Ipse Dixit (or Appeal to Authority)
You should go talk to Mr. Scheidemantle. Every other student did!
Ad Populum
A: I can’t stand listening to you! You’re arguments are horrible!
B: Well, why don’t you just sit down then?
Equivocation
(Judge in Salem Witch Trials): Sarah Good, what evil spirit have you had contact with?
(Sarah Good): None!
(Judge): Why do you hurt these children?
(Sarah Good): I do not hurt them!
Complex Question
What is Ad Baculum?
An improper appeal to fear.
Jimmy: You’re doing it wrong! Multiplication comes before addition in the order or operations.
Sally: Well you wear ugly sweaters all the time, so why should I listen to you!
Ad Hominem
A: Why should you be my friend?
B: Because if you aren’t, I will be all alone. Do you really want me to be alone?
Appeal to Pity
A: You’re not flexible at all! Can you even touch your toes?
B: Eww! Why would you want me to touch them? That’s disgusting!
Equivocation
Either you vote Republican or you support abortion. What do you think you should do as a Christian?
Either/Or
What is a fallacy?
A common error in reasoning.
Jimmy: Lying is wrong!
Sally: Why should I listen to you? You’ve lied every day of your life!
Tu Quoque
If we don't decrease the amount of greenhouse gasses that our cars pump into the air, then the ice caps will melt. New York City will be under water and millions would die!
Appeal to Fear
The 14th ingredient on the label for these cookies is Red-40, so these cookies must be terrible for you!
Part to Whole (Composition)
I got 3 hours of sleep last night and I aced the test! Maybe I need to get less sleep next test so I can improve my grades!
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
What is equivocation?
Changing the meaning of a word in the middle of an argument.
Mr. Buck’s car sucks because it was made in 1996.
Chronological Snobbery
Bethany (2025): I don't believe Sarah exists!
Mr. Buck: What do you mean? I talk to her every day!
Bethany: Well I've never seen her, so she must not be real!
Proof by lack of evidence (ad ignorantiam)
The US Constitution is a moral and just document, so the Fugitive Slave Clause must be too!
Whole to Part (Division)
The grass is always greener on the other side, because the grass on the side that you are on is always less green.
Circular Reasoning
What is the Genetic Fallacy (Bulverism)?
Attacking an argument because of where it began, how it began, or who began it.
A: The US should really slow down it’s development of AI until we fully know where it will lead.
B: Oh really? Do you really want us to lose a tech war with China?
Straw Man
You shouldn’t be in favor of abortion. The founder of Planned Parenthood (Margaret Sanger) believed that abortion should be used to decrease the population of non-white races.
Genetic Fallacy
Venezuela is a dictatorship without a functioning democracy. The people of Venezuela must hate democracy.
Whole to Part (Division)
A: Women shouldn’t be allowed to vote because they usually vote for Democrats.
B: Isn’t that a dangerous principle? People who disagree with you still have the right to vote.
A: Well I’m just saying that women are more likely to vote Democrat. Do you disagree?
Motte and Bailey Fallacy