Fallacy Definitions
A fallacy in which the speaker asserts that because a person in authority believes something, it must be true.
Appeal to authority
The following is an example of a _________ fallacy: I drank bottled water and now I am sick, so the water must have made me sick.
What is false attribution/false cause?
You must go to bed at 9 pm because 9 pm is your bedtime
Circular reasoning
Example of __________ fallacy: In the United States, one can vote for either Democrats or Republicans.
What is a false dilemma/false dichotomy/either-or fallacy?
This fallacy occurs when one falsely assumes that the truth or the best solution must lie in the middle of two extreme, opposing positions.
Middle Ground Fallacy
A fallacy in which the author presents only two options for the reader to choose from (despite the fact that it is rare for any argument to be so simplistic).
What is a false dichotomy/false dilemma/either-or/black-or-white fallacy?
A couple believing that because they have already had three boys, they are now "due" to have a girl.
A fallacy in which the author predicts events, usually with a catastrophic conclusion.
What is a slippery slope?
When someone argues because something is natural it must be better or good.
Appeal to Nature
The following is an example of ________ fallacy: If you were a true American you would support the rights of people to have whatever kind of guns they want.
What is no true Scotsman fallacy?
The nazis invented the highway system, so highways are bad.
Genetic fallacy
Example of _____ fallacy: Ben Ravioli doesn't believe in vaccines because one paper published says they are dangerous. Every other paper agrees they are safe and effective.
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?
Have you stopped cheating at cards?
Loaded Question Fallacy
Example of ________ fallacy: Polls suggest that the Liberals will form a majority government, so you may as well vote for them.
What is a bandwagon fallacy?
A fallacy in which the author attempts to distract the reader from the premise of the argument.
What is a red herring?
A fallacy in which the speaker has no evidence, but asks the other arguer to disprove their original claim.
Burden of proof fallacy
Example of _____ fallacy: A child telling a parent, "But you smoked when you were younger!" after being told not to smoke.
tu quoque