Identify the Fallacy
the assumption that because one event proceeds another event, they must be casually related
Post Hoc
Define Ad Hominem
instead of addressing someone's argument or position, you irrelevantly attack the person or some aspect of the person who is making the argument.
I've met two people in Greece so far, and they were both nice to me
hasty generalization
Who is going to vote for a person looking like this?
ad hominem
The majority of our countrymen think we should have military operations overseas; therefore, it's the right thing to do
ad populum
poorly comparing two things that are allegedly similar
Weak Analogy
Define Ad Populum
A fallacy that will claim something is true simply because that's what a large number of people believe.
All trees have bark. Every dog barks. Therefore, a dog is a tree
equivocation
You can never give anyone a break. If you do, they'll walk all over you.
slippery slope
I am nice because I am nice.
circular logic
using an ambiguous word or phrase in more than one sense with the same argument; essentially an argument that uses one word to mean two different things
equivocation
Define Hasty Generalization
A fallacy that makes a claim on the basis of insufficient/not enough evidence.
Guns are like hammers—they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone
weak analogy
The Nazis were the first to research passive smoking and prohibit smoking in public. Therefore, a smoking ban is unacceptable.
genetic fallacy
You can either go with me to the party tonight or sit at home alone and be bored all night
either/or
an argument that comes back to its beginning without proving anything
Circular Logic
Define Faulty Appeal to Authority
The logical fallacy of saying a claim is true simply because an authority figure made it. This authority figure could be anyone: an instructor, a politician, a well-known academic, an author, or even an individual with experience related to the claim's subject.
Person 1: Because of the thefts in our building, I think we should add more security cameras.
Person 2: So you’re saying you don’t trust your neighbors?
straw man
Yesterday I ate blackberries, and today I have a stomach ache. The blackberries must have caused this stomach ache.
post hoc
A couple are arguing. One couple says “You never do the dishes!” The other says “What about you! You never take out the bins!”
red herring
Red Herring
Define Genetic Fallacy
When we argue that the origin of a belief, practice, or idea is a sufficient reason for rejecting (or accepting) it
Oh, you know Spanish? What does “Comment t'appelles-tu?” mean in French?
non sequitur
My favorite actor, who starred in that movie about a virus that turns people into zombies, said in an interview that genetically modified crops caused COVID-19. So I think that’s what really happened
faulty appeal to authority
Could you please change my grade from D to C? I worked really hard for this assignment. I even pulled an all-nighter to finish on time, and my parents will be so disappointed!
appeal to pity