Fallacies of Distraction
“Of course climate change is real. Bill Nye the science guy proved it!”
What is an appeal to authority?
“I know it’s illegal to do that because if you do it then you’ll break the law.”
What is circular reasoning?
Jane Doe: “I think the Tour De France is the hardest bike race in the world!”
John Doe: “Jane thinks the longest bike race is the Tour De France even though Race Across America is almost 1,000 miles longer!
What is a straw-man?
Journalist: “John Doe, you’re a famous actor and you’re always lecturing the public about climate change, yet you travel in private jets that are terrible for the environment.”
John Doe: “You’re one to talk! You drive all over the country for work which pollutes the air!”
What is a Tu Quoque?
“Stop judging me! You shouldn’t judge people!”
What is a self-refutation?
“Of course the theory of evolution is true. Every university in the country teaches it.”
What is an appeal to majority?
“I don’t believe what my professor taught today, and neither should you. After all, he didn’t even go to an Ivy League school.”
What is an Ad Hominem?
“Studies show that 90% of men who wear hats three times a week are balding, proving that wearing hats will make you bald.”
What is a false cause?
"I took an ice bath this morning and then got promoted at my job later that day. This proves that ice baths create success."
"I don't believe the sun revolves around the earth. People believed otherwise for thousands of years. You think you're smarter than our forefathers?"
What is chronological snobbery?
“If you don’t love America then you ought to leave! You either love it or leave it!”
What is a false dichotomy?
“You still believe in the same moral principles as bronze-age goat herders? Get with the times! It's the 21st century!”
What is chronological snobbery?
"Mr. Brooks is terrible at math. English teachers must be poor mathematicians."
What is a hasty generalization?
“You only think John Doe would be a good president because your Dad campaigned for him!”
What is the genetic fallacy?
“If you’re not a woman you don’t have a right to voice your opinion on women’s issues!”
What is special pleading?
"Do you really intend to vote for a racist candidate?"
What is a complex/loaded question?
"You believe in nationalism? You realize Hitler was a nationalist, right?”
What is the genetic fallacy?
"Of course its a great book it's a best seller!"
What is an appeal to majority?
"You shouldn't read books. If you do, you'll become a bookworm, which will make you anti-social and then you'll be lonely without any friends."
What is a slippery slope?
Politicians are corrupt. Mobsters are also corrupt, so politicians really ought to be thought of as mobsters.
What is the fallacy of the undistributed middle?
"Fords are terrible cars. I bought a Ford last year and it broke down within one month!"
What is a hasty generalization?
Journalist: “Mr. President, how are you going to fix the economy?
President: “I grew up in a middle class family. I used to mow the lawn, take out the trash, and run errands at the groceries stores. I’ve always loved and connected with the everyday, middle class people. I will always fight for the middle class.”
What is a red herring?
"Of course Jane Doe is the one who spread the rumor about me. When she was asked she wouldn't deny it!"
What is an argument from silence?
"The constitution says all men are created equal, but women are not men so women don't deserve equal rights."
What is an equivocation?
"If you can't see it in a lab, then I don't believe in it!"
What is a self-refutation?