What's That Got to Do with Anything? (Some Fallacies of Relevance)
This is the use of threats or some other backlash to make people accept a conclusion. Do it or else!!!
What is Appeal to Force?
This fallacy occurs when someone tries to win support for an argument by trying to make people feel sorry for them. Pitiful.
What is Appeal to Pity?
This is when you make assumptions about an entire group of people or a range of cases based on a limited sample. Stereotypical!
What is Hasty Generalization?
This is when someone supports a statement by restating it in different terms. You spin me right round, baby, right round!
What is Circular Reasoning?
This rhetorical appeal uses reason to persuade. Facts, figures, and statistics anyone?
What is Logos?
This is going along with the beliefs and actions of what is popular. Join us now!
What is a bandwagon?
Arguing that something is true because it has not been proven false or that something is false because it has not been proven true. I can't prove it one way or the other, but I know there is a little green man living under the school!
What is an Argument from Ignorance?
When it is falsely assumed that one thing will lead to another, and another, and another, until an unavoidable consequence is reached. Great. Now I want some Domino's pizza.
What is Slippery Slope?
This is when there is a divide between the premise and the conclusion. Blue toothpaste is best.
What is a Non-Sequitur?
It's all about making a point or a claim about a subject and supporting it with evidence, not fighting.
What is an argument?
This fallacy suggests that buying into what is offered will make you better, smarter, or richer than everyone else. If you aren't one of us, you aren't anyone.
What is Snob Appeal?
Using an authority figure that is not really a credible authority on the topic of the argument. If Michael Jordon says Wheaties is the best cereal, then, by Gumby, that's what I'm gonna eat!
What is Appeal to Improper Authority?
When only two choices are presented but, in reality, more choices may exist between the two extremes. It's my way or the highway, baby!
What is a False Dilemma?
When a person argues that their opponent has actually done the thing that he or she is arguing against and concludes that they don't have to listen to them as a result. Right back at ya, buddy!
What is Tu Quoque?
This is a breakdown or error in the terms of reasoning. It's often the weakest link.
What is a fallacy?
This is attacking or praising the people who make an argument instead of discussing the argument itself. Don't believe me? What are you, crazy or something?
What is Ad Hominem?
This is the belief that a position is true or correct because it is somehow patriotic and those who disagree are somehow unpatriotic. That's why I buy all my Made in China items at Walmart!
What is the Patriotic Appeal?
When the arguer raises a side issue that distracts the audience from the actual argument. Wait a minute! what the heck is that thing behind you?
What is Red Herring?
This is sliding between the meaning of two or more different meanings of a word or phrase that is critical to an argument. Who's on first? What?
What is an Equivocation?
This appeal tries to convince people that the speaker or author is of good character. Trust me. I know.
What is ethos?
This is the belief that something must be true because it is based on something from the past or current traditions. We've always done it that way. Therefore, it must be right.
What is Appeal to Tradition?
This argument says something must be false because, if it were true, it would create negative results. I'm not in denial. I am just very selective about the reality I accept.
What is Argument from Adverse (Bad) Consequences?
This is the false assumption that, because the first event came before the second event, it caused the second event. The devil made me do it!!
What is False Cause?
When false characteristics are given to an argument and the argument is based on those false characteristics rather than the real argument. Don't put words in my mouth!
What is Strawman?
This type of reasoning makes conclusions by going from general to specific. Elementary, my dear Watson.
What is Deductive Reasoning?