Fallacies of Distraction
Verbally attacking a person's moral character, or bringing it into question, when the argument has nothing to do with it.
What is "Ad Hominem"?
Whole-to-part fallacy.
What is Division?
Also known as a Catch-22, this fallacy offers only 2 options to the opponent, both of which are usually bad.
What is a false-dilemma/bifurcation?
ad as in ad ________.
What is "To the____"
What is "Tu quoque"/TQ?
When one assumes what is true for a part is true for a larger whole.
What is composition?
The assumption that because one event preceded another, they must be casually/logically related.
What is post hoc ergo propter hoc/false cause?
Ignorantium
What is "ignorance"?
An appeal to a false authority.
What is "Ipse Dixit"?
Changing the meaning of a term mid-argument
What is equivocation?
Secretly assuming what you are already trying to prove. When an argument uses it's conclusion as a premise to support the conclusion itself.
What is circular reasoning?
baculum
What is stick/staff?
An appeal to the people/the masses.
What is "ad populum"?
When the grammar of a term/statement allows it to have multiple, distinct meanings.
What is amphiboly?
A question with a presupposition built in. Often leaves the answerer in a bad spot, regardless of how they answer.
What is a complex question?
Ipse Dixit
What is "he himself has said it"?
Assumes the opponent is wrong, specifically by how they came about their information/came to their conclusion. The "because" fallacy.
What is "Bulverism"?
This fallacy is committed when one emphasizes different words in a statement to change the meaning.
What is the accent fallacy?
A conclusion drawn from insufficient evidence. Usually uses too small of a sample size.
What is an apriorism/hasty generalization?
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
What is "after this, therefore, because of this"?