Definitions 1
Define Logical Fallacies.
faulty, flawed, or inaccurate reasoning
If students use social media, they will become addicted to it. Then they will become unmotivated and not succeed in school. Therefore, we can't let students use social media.
Slippery Slope
Mayor Williams raised taxes in our town and then used the revenue to improve his own land. All politicians are greedy.
Hasty Generalization
Define the Slippery Slope fallacy.
asserting that if we allow A to happen, then B will consequently happen too; therefore, A should not happen
The government wants to increase background checks to buy guns. It wants to take our guns and leave us defenseless.
Strawman/Red Herring
We can't legalize medical marijuana because people will think it's a safe drug. Then people will start taking it for fun, and then they will want stronger drugs. Soon everyone will be under the influence of some drug. Therefore, we can't legalize medical marijuana.
Slippery Slope
Define the Ad Hominem fallacy.
attacking your opponent's character or personal traits instead of engaging with their argument
You can either come to the party with me or you can be antisocial.
False Dilemma
Either you donate your old clothes to Good Will or you contribute to climate change and kill the planet.
False dilemma
Define the Strawman fallacy.
misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack
Dr. Williams supports the new prescription for migraines and wants to fund the research. However, he majored in English before becoming a doctor, so he isn't qualified to endorse medicines.
Ad hominem
All the pretty people are buying pink Stanley cups, so we should, too.
Appeal to doubtful authority
Define the Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc fallacy.
presuming that a real or perceived relationship between things means that one is the cause of the other
*In an essay attempting to promote healthier eating habits*
"Mineral water is a healthy alternative to soda because it has health benefits; those health benefits exist because mineral water is healthy."
Circular reasoning
Mr. Smith wants to increase funding for athletics in elementary schools. Parents are upset that he wants to limit students' creativity by destroying music and art programs.
Strawman