Fallacies
Fallacies of relevance
Clue:
"to avoid the issue"
These arguments have premises that do not "bear upon" the truth of the conclusions. In other words, they introduce an irrelevancy into the argument.
Appeal to Fear (ad baculum)
Example:
What is cell phones cause brain cancer? It is better to do without a cell phone and preserve your health.
Without making a clear crucial connection, a person committing this fallacy references the potential for bad consequences to occur if the person to whom they are speaking does not agree with them. Ad baculum means "to the stick" in Latin.
Chronological snobbery
Example:
"the illustration of marriage is as old as a human history, and that should be considered sacred."
This is an appeal to something's agent to justify either excepting or rejecting it.
Ad Hominem Abusive
Example:
Sharon, you are a lazy slacker. No one is going to listen to your advice on how to study for the exam.
In this most obvious of all personal attacks, the speaker assaults his arrival with a great deal of abusive language in an attempt to avoid the issue. Ad Hominem means "to the man" in Latin.
Appealed to Pity (ad misericordiam)
Example:
If we don't get more funding for this program, there will be more jobless people out on the streets. I argue the legislator to vote to increase funding for this program as soon as possible.
Using this type of argument, the speaker tries to convince others of his point of view by making them feel sorry for him or for other people. Ad misericordiam means "to the people" in Latin.
Appeal to Ignorance
Example:
There has to be life on Mars. I have never seen one shred of evidence that proves there is no life there.
This argument makes the mistake of saying that because you say proposition cannot be disproved, it must, therefore, be likely.
Ad Hominem Circumstantial
Example:
That is a typical argument for someone who was raised in a wealthy family-of coarse you want to reduce taxes for the rich!
Somewhat more subtle, this type of argument says, or implies, that the speaker's rival should not be trusted in making his argument because of various circumstances regarding his rival. The most common Version includes an implication that a person's argument should be discounted because of his self-interest in the matter.
Mob Appeal (ad populum)
Example:
Droves of people have been coming in to look at these new Z-1 cars and get a fantastic deal. Hurry! Act now! These cars won't be here long!
Arguments that distracted by making the audience want to be a part of the crowd or one of the "common people." To make up for a lack of solid evidence and sound reason, this argument appeals to the emotions of a crowd, the desire to be part of the majority, or the interest of the "common man."
Irrelevant Goals or Functions
Example:
Do you want me to run three times a day, but how will that help me to make new friends?
This is an argument that assumes a goal or function of us are in practice or policy is either unrealistic or a relevant. Therefore, the practice or policy is not acceptable.
Tu Quoque
Example:
You can't tell me to do my chores because you didn't do yours yesterday!
The person committing this fallacy assumes his rival's recommendation should be discounted because he does not always follow it himself. Tu Quoque means "you also" in Latin.
Snob Appeal
Example:
I am definitely going to start supporting overseas adoption. A lot of cool movie stars are adopting children from Africa and Asia.
Are you meant that distracted by making a person want to feel "special." This is an emotional appeal to a sense of elitism or to those of "discriminating taste."
Irrelevant Thesis
Example:
Of course I think our school should start a football team. I have evidence right here at that shows that students who participate in sports programs actually perform better academically.
Fairly sound case for what it is trying to prove. However, what it is trying to prove is a relevant to the case at hand.
Genetic Fallacy
Example:
Did you know that Greg believes in life in outer space? I think it started with that movie he watched last year about aliens. He believes in extraterrestrial life because of a Hollywood film!
This most generic Version of an ad Fontem argument States that an idea should be discounted simply because of its source of origin. In a sense, all of the arguments in this group are generic fallacies, but the generic fallacy label is generally used when the source being acted isn't a this specific person, but eight people group or institution.
Appeal to Illegitimate Authority (ad verecundiam)
Example:
Buy gold now and invest in your future. Many experts agree that this may be the best time to buy gold in decades.
This is an attempt to shame the listener into agreement by sitting an illegitimate authority. Ad verecundiam means "to shame" in Latin.
The strawman fallacy
Example:
Linda's mom won't let her get her ears pierced. Her mom won't let Linda grow up; she wants to control her every move.
This is an attempt to disapprove an opponent's disbelief bye presenting those believes in an in accurate light.