Fallacy Definitions
Name that Fallacy
It's logic, my dear Watson!
Game of Fallacies
Dictionary of Fallacies
100

A fallacy in which the author appeals to the popularity of a practice of concept as a method of persuasion.

What is the Ad Poplulum or Bandwagon Fallacy?

100

The following is an example of ________ fallacy:

My dog is named Max, and he likes to eat dog food. Therefore, everyone named Max likes to eat dog food.

What is the non-sequitur fallacy?

100

When logic goes from a general rule to a specific conclusion that is always true. 

What is deductive reasoning?

100

Example of ______ fallacy:

Books are so important to develop your reading and the only way to truly learn to read is with books.

What is the circular reasoning fallacy?

100

A fallacy in which the author has jumped to a conclusion based on insufficient evidence.

What is a hasty generalization?

200
A fallacy in which the author attacks the person make the opposing argument, rather than the argument itself.
What is an ad hominem fallacy?
200

The following is an example of a __________ fallacy: 

Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.

What is an ad hominem fallacy?

200

When logic goes from a specific observation to a general conclusion that may be true. 

What is inductive reasoning?

200

Example of __________ fallacy: 

We should have conscription. People don't want to enter the military because they find it an inconvenience. But they should realize that there are more important things than convenience.

What is a straw man fallacy?

200

A fallacy in which the author predicts events, usually with a catastrophic conclusion.

What is a slippery slope?

300

A fallacy in which the author uses an oversimplification of and subsequent attack on the viewpoint of another or the misrepresentation of the viewpoint of another. 

What is the Strawman fallacy?

300

The following is an example of _______ fallacy: 

The apples on the top of the box look good. The entire box of apples must be good.

What is a hasty generalization?

300

When logic goes from an incomplete observation to a educated guess that may be true. 

What is abductive reasoning?
300

Example of __________ fallacy: 

If the mill were polluting the river then we would see an increase in fish deaths. And fish deaths have increased. Thus, the mill is polluting the river.

What is non sequitur/missing the point fallacy?

300

A fallacy in which the author attempts to anticipate the opposition, but fails because the oppositional point addressed is one of the weakest points.

What is a straw man fallacy?

400

A fallacy in which the author states a conclusion or reply that does not follow the previous statement in a logical manner. 

What is the Non Sequitur fallacy?

400

The following is an example of a ___________ fallacy: 

The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their families?

What is a red herring fallacy?

400

An example _____ reasoning.

Major premise: All mammals have backbones.
Minor premise: Humans are mammals.
Conclusion: Humans have backbones.

What is deductive reasoning?

400
Example of ________ fallacy: Polls suggest that the Liberals will form a majority government, so you may as well vote for them.
What is an ad populum/bandwagon fallacy?
400

A fallacy in which the author attempts to distract the reader from the premise of the argument, often with emotional appeals.

What is a red herring?

500
A fallacy in which the author attempts to make a logical argument by comparing the topic to a topic more familiar to the audience; however, the two topics are not comparable enough to make the argument effective.
What is a weak/false analogy?
500

The following is an example of _________ fallacy: 

If we put limits on the right to bear arms, soon all of our Constitutionally-given  rights will be taken away.

What is a slippery slope fallacy?

500

Example of _____ reasoning.

I see fireflies in my backyard every summer.
This summer, I will probably see fireflies in my backyard.

What is inductive reasoning?

500

Example of _______ fallacy:

Payday loan and credit card companies are just like opportunistic vultures. They will always strike at victims when they are at their weakest.

What is the false analogy fallacy?

500
A fallacy in which the author attempts to support the argument by simply repeating it using different words.
What is begging the question/circular reasoning?
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