Definitions
A logical fallacy that occurs when someone uses an authority figure's support for a claim without that figure having legitimate authority in the relevant field.
What is Inappropriate Appeal to Authority?
A logical fallacy that occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion. It's also known as petitio principii, which is Latin for "assuming the original point".
What is Begging the question?
Our product is "on the cutting edge of technology"
What is appeal to novelty?
What is Tu Quoque?
The latest and greatest author is featured on Oprah's book club. The very next day everyone rushes out to buy his book.
What is Appeal to Authority.
A logical fallacy that occurs when someone assumes that a specific cause is true because an outcome is true.
What is Affirming the Consequence?
Presenting only two options when more exist, essentially an "either/or" argument,
What is False Dichotomy ?
A driver pulled over for speeding argues that the police should be chasing dangerous criminals instead of writing them tickets. The driver is ignoring the fact that they broke the speed limit.
What is Red Herring?
Everyone is going to get the new smart phone when it comes out this weekend. You should get it too".
What is bandwagon appeal?
White smoke has been used to signify that there is a new Pope for hundreds of years. The Vatican refuses to change their notification system since it has been that way from the beginning.
What is Appeal to Tradition.
A logical fallacy that occurs when someone draws an invalid conclusion from an "if-then" statement:
What is Denying the Antecedent?
"It does not follow."
What is Non - sequitar?
Smokers have a high life expectancy because my uncle was a lifelong smoker who lived into his nineties
What is Hasty Generalization?
My computer crashed after I installed a new piece of editing software. I'm sure the software caused the crash.
What is Post hoc?
TomKat (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) were the cutest celebrity couple because they are TomKat.
What is Circular Reasoning.
The merging of two or more sets of information, texts, ideas, or opinions into one, often in error. Defined as 'fusing blending', but is often used colloquially as 'being equal to' - treating two similar but disparate concepts as the same.
What is Conflation?
A logical fallacy that occurs when someone presents irrelevant information to distract from the main topic of an argument.
What is Red Herring?
"If we lower the voting age to 16, then 15-year-olds will also want to vote".
What is slippery slope?
In general, a necessary condition is not enough to guarantee a result, while a sufficient condition guarantees another event if met.
What is Confusing Necessary and Sufficient?
Gangnam Style and Harlem Shake were viral hits because people start watching the videos after hearing about it from their friends. This is an example of....
What is Bandwagon Appeal.
A way of speaking that is intentionally not clear and is confusing to other people, especially to hide the truth, or something said in this way:
What is Equivocation?
Claiming that something that is new or modern is superior to the status quo, based exclusively on its newness.
What is Appeal to Novelty?
We should not make public speaking courses mandatory for graduation, we never have in the past so why start now?"
What is Appeal to Tradition?
Trying one's hardest is the key to one's success. I will try my hardest the first time I write a novel. My first novel will be a success
What is Sweeping Generalization?
Ghosts are real because there are so many stories about ghosts
What is Begging the Question?