appeal fallacies
This fallacy occurs when you argue that because an authority figure or expert believes something, it must be true
What is Appeal to Authority?
This fallacy creates a false choice between two extremes with no middle ground
What is Black-or-White (False Dichotomy)?
This fallacy assumes that because two things occurred together, one must have caused the other
What is Post Hoc (False Cause)?
This fallacy occurs when you attack the character or personal traits of your opponent instead of their argument
What is Ad Hominem?
This fallacy occurs when you present a situation where a small change leads to a chain of related events resulting in a significant impact
What is Slippery Slope?
This fallacy assumes something is better or more "natural" because it's the way things have traditionally been done
What is Appeal to Tradition?
When you present a purposefully distorted version of your opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, you're committing this fallacy
What is Strawman?
When you claim that if A caused B, then preventing A would have prevented B, you're committing this fallacy
What is Texas Sharpshooter?
When you attempt to manipulate an emotional response in place of a valid argument, you're committing this fallacy
What is Appeal to Emotion?
When you use circular reasoning where the conclusion is assumed in the premises, you're committing this fallacy
What is Begging the Question?
When you appeal to the fact that many people believe something or do something as validation, you're committing this fallacy
What is Appeal to Popularity (Bandwagon)?
This fallacy occurs when you avoid engaging with criticism by turning it back on the critic
What is Tu Quoque?
This fallacy occurs when you draw a comparison between two situations that are fundamentally different
What is False Analogy?
This fallacy occurs when you attack the source of the argument rather than its merits
What is Genetic Fallacy?
This fallacy occurs when you claim something is true for the group because it's true for some members and vice versa
What is Middle Ground?
This fallacy occurs when you try to claim that if something is "natural" it must be good or correct
What is Appeal to Nature?
When you assume that because a claim is supported by a series of true statements, the claim itself must be true
What is The Fallacy Fallacy?
When you oversimplify a complex issue to the point where important details are lost, you're committing this fallacy
What is Genetic?
When you use loaded or emotionally charged words to influence an audience's response, you're committing this fallacy
What is Loaded Question?
When you misuse statistics or numbers to support your argument, you're committing this fallacy
What is Ambiguity?
When you claim something must be true because it hasn't been proven false (or vice versa), you're committing this fallacy
What is Appeal to Ignorance?
This fallacy occurs when you move the goalposts or add new conditions after the original argument has been defeated
What is Special Pleading?
This fallacy occurs when you assume that what's true for the parts must be true for the whole
What is Composition/Division?
This fallacy occurs when you claim your opponent is wrong because they also hold an implausible belief about something else
What is No True Scotsman?
This fallacy occurs when you claim that because something works in one context, it must work in all contexts
What is Burden of Proof?