Who's That Fallacy
This fallacy occurs when someone misrepresents another person's argument to make it easier to attack.
Straw Man Fallacy
Bandwagon Fallacy
When someone argues that something is true simply because it is popular.
This fallacy is the reverse of composition. It occurs when one assumes that what is true of the whole must also be true of the parts.
Formal (Fallacy of Division)
This fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself.
Ad Hominem Fallacy
Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy
This fallacy occurs when someone claims that a statement must be true because there is no evidence against it.
If P, then Q.
Q is true.
Therefore, P is true.
This is invalid because Q being true does not necessarily mean P is true.
Formal (Affirming the Consequent)
This fallacy occurs when someone assumes that a sequence of events will lead to a disastrous outcome without evidence.
Slippery Slope Fallacy
Appeal to Emotion
This fallacy occurs when someone manipulates an emotional response in place of a valid argument.
This fallacy occurs when people use their limited personal experience to make sweeping conclusions about a given topic.
Informal (Anecdotal Fallacy)
This fallacy occurs when an argument relies on an irrelevant appeal to authority, where the authority is not qualified in the relevant area.
Appeal to Authority
False Dilemma
The false dilemma fallacy presents only two extreme options, ignoring other possible positions.
This fallacy occurs when someone makes an argument that assumes the very thing it is trying to prove is true.
Example: Robots are better leaders because of better leadership skills.
Formal (Circular Reasoning Fallacy)
This fallacy occurs when someone introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue.
Red Herring Fallacy
Begging the Question
This occurs when the argument's conclusion is assumed in its premises, essentially restating the same point in different words. For example, saying "We must trust this source because it is reliable" without explaining why it is reliable.
This fallacy occurs when someone asks a question that has a presupposition that is unverified or controversial.