Definitions
Fallacy that uses fear in place of an actual argument.
What is Scare Tactics?
More and more people are coming to believe that yoga helps us to get in touch with our true inner being. Therefore, yoga is the best way to get in touch with our true inner being.
What is Bandwagon?
If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the government will ban all cars, so we should not ban Hummers.
If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment, eventually it could lead to a lot of unnecessary car bans. Let's carefully consider other options first.
If you go outside without a coat while it's raining outside, you will catch a cold.
What is Hasty Generalization?
This is a conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence. In other words, you are rushing to a conclusion before you have all the relevant facts.
What is Hasty Generalization?
Fallacy that takes a small problem and claims it will lead to a much bigger problem
What is Slippery Slope?
Charlie: I think we should put more money into schools. Quality public education is so important.
Bob: So you’re saying we should cut military spending and spend it instead on more spiral notebooks and crayons? I guess you want our country to be a weak, defenseless target for terrorists
What is Strawman?
If I don’t take this A.P. class, then I won’t do well on the exam. If I don’t do well on the A.P. exam, then I can’t get into a good college. If I can’t get into a good college, then I’ll never get a good job. If I can’t get a good job, then I’m going to have to live in my parents’ basement forever. Guess I’ll sign up for the A.P. class.
If I don’t take this A.P. class, then I won’t do well on the exam. If I don’t do well on the A.P. exam, then it would affect my GPA, so I should study hard.
I'm not sure I want to order hot wings. From my experience, I haven't liked any spicy food I've tried.
Not a fallacy
George Bush is a good communicator because he is the President.
What is Faulty Assumption?
Fallacy that uses numbers without additional support as an argument.
What is Bandwagon?
There’s no proof that starting classes later in the day will improve the performance of our high school students; therefore, this change in schedule will not work
What is Argument From Silence?
Kevin has fallen asleep three times in class today. He is either not getting enough sleep, or he simply doesn't care about my class!
Kevin has fallen asleep a lot recently. While he might not be getting enough sleep, it may also be due to the fact that he has my class at 8:00 AM, which is pretty early. *Answers will vary*
Just because there is no evidence to say that Bigfoot exists, doesn't mean he doesn't exist. We could find evidence later to suggest that he is or was real at some point. So before you judge me, think carefully about Bigfoot.
What is Argument From Silence?
Fallacy that states that the origin of an idea or argument determines if it is valid or not.
What is Genetic Fallacy?
Fallacy that repeats or rephrases an argument without additional support.
What is Circular Argument?
A campaign in favor of animal testing shows two images, one of a child and one of a rat, and poses the dilemma “Who would you rather see live?”
What is Either/Or?
Every person I have ever met that drives a sports car is a complete jerk. I try to not associate with sports car owners.
Every person I've ever met that drives a sports car has been rude to me. I understand this doesn't apply to all of them, but I'm cautious in meeting them.
Latin should not be taught in school since it is not spoken anywhere in the world. All learning should have some use to be of value, and a dead language has no practical use.
What is Red Herring?
We can’t allow abortion because then society will lose its general respect for life, and it’ll become harder to punish people for committing violent acts like murder.
What is Slippery Slope?
Fallacy that compares a minor problem with a major flaw or act of evil.
What is Moral Equivalence?
In regard to my recent indictment for corruption, let’s be clear about what’s really important: unemployment! We really need to focus on creating jobs, and under my 10-point plan, we will achieve just that!
What is Red Herring?
At a technology conference, a software developer questions the ethics of using AI in law enforcement, citing potential biases and privacy concerns. The speaker avoids addressing these ethical issues by stating that the use of AI in law enforcement has been endorsed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, implying that this endorsement should alleviate any concerns.
At a technology conference, a software developer questions the ethics of using AI in law enforcement, citing potential biases and privacy concerns. The speaker acknowledges the concerns about the AI, and cites multiple scientists and data on why it's a problem that could be solved.
In a study designed by a famous academic to test the effects of pleasant imagery on motivation, employees were shown images of baby animals and beautiful nature scenes for their first five minutes at work. Amazingly, results showed a 10 percent leap in profits in the first quarter and record earnings over the course of a year. Showing employees pleasant images is could be a great way to increase their motivation and improve productivity.
What is not a fallacy!
Errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument
What is Logical Fallacies?