Fallacy Definitions
Attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself
What is Ad Hominem?
"We shouldn't take his opinion on mental health seriously — he's been in therapy for years!"
Ad Hominem
This medicine worked for my cousin, so it must work for everyone.
Hasty Generalization or Bandwagon?
What is Hasty Generalization?
What fallacy assumes a claim is true simply because no one has proven it false?
What is Appeal to Ignorance?
This fallacy occurs when an argument attacks the person making the claim instead of the claim itself, often by insulting their character or motives.
what is AD Hominem?
Assuming that just because one event followed another, the first caused the second
What is Post Hoc (False Cause)?
If we allow students to turn in late homework once, next they’ll stop following deadlines altogether, and eventually no one will take school seriously!
Slippery Slope
Don’t listen to him about climate change—he flies on airplanes all the time!
Tu Quoque or Ad Hominem?
What is Tu Quoque?
What fallacy wrongly concludes that one event caused another because it occurred first?
What is False Cause
what is Accident
This fallacy diverts attention from the real issue by bringing up a completely unrelated topic.
What is a Red Herring?
I saw three people from that country act rudely, so all of them must be like that
Hasty Generalization
If we allow students to use calculators, next they won’t be able to do any math at all.
Slippery Slope or False Dilemma?
What is Slippery Slope?
Person A: We should improve the school’s test scores.
Person B: But what about the school’s cafeteria food? That needs fixing too.
What is Red Herring?
Named after a circular shape, this fallacy is committed when an arguments conclusion is already assumed in one of its premises.
what is Begging the Question
This fallacy occurs when someone presents only two choices as the only possibilities, ignoring other valid options.
What is a False Dilemma?
The CEO says this supplement works wonders, so it must be effective
Appeal to Authority
We can either raise taxes or cut all public services. There’s no other way.
False Dilemma or Red Herring?
What is False Dilemma?
What fallacy occurs when an argument assumes what it’s trying to prove?
What is Begging the Question?
Also know as the "appeal to emotion, this fallacy involves manipulating an emotional response in place of a valid or compelling argument.
what is Appeal to Pitty
This fallacy assumes the conclusion of an argument within its premises, offering no actual support — essentially using the claim to prove itself.
What is Begging the Question?
We’ve always used this method, so there’s no reason to change it now
Appeal to Tradition
Global warming is a hoax because no one has proven it’s real beyond all doubt.
Appeal to Ignorance or Straw Man?
What is Appeal to Ignorance?
"You’re either with us, or you’re against us."
What is False Dilemma
This fallacy involves misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack, often by exaggerating distorting,or just completely inventing their position.
What is straw man?