Logical Terms
Trying to persuade someone by appealing to their emotions.
What is pathos?
The use of force, or the threat of force, or some other unpleasant backlash to make an audience accept a conclusion.
What is Appeal to Force (Argumentum ad Baculum)?
The argument that something must be true because people have always believed it or done it.
What is Appeal to Tradition (Argumentum ad Traditio)?
When only two choices are presented but, in reality, more choices may exist between the two extremes.
What is False Dilemma (or the Either/Or Fallacy)?
When the person arguing begins with what they are trying to end with. Round and round we go! Where we stop, no one knows!
What is Circular Reasoning?
Studying the formal processes used in thinking and reasoning to try to make sense of things.
What is logic?
"Everybody is doing it! Therefore, so should you!"
What is Bandwagon?
What is Appeal to Pity (Argumentum Ad Misericordiam)?
The false assumption that, because the first event came before the second event, it must mean the first event caused the second event.
What is False Cause (Post Hoc)?
When the arguer points out that the opponent has actually done the thing that is being argued against and concludes that they no longer have to listen to his or her argument as a result. Well, you did it!!!
What is Tu Quoque?
Trying to persuade by appealing to one's sense of reason.
What is logos?
Attacking or praising the people who make an argument rather than discussing the argument itself.
What is Argument to the Person (Ad Hominem)?
The argument that uses an authority as evidence when the authority is not really an authority on the facts relevant to the argument.
What is Appeal to Improper Authority (Argumentum ad Verecundium)?
Making assumptions about an entire group of people, or a range of cases, based on an inadequately small sample.
What is Hasty Generalization (Dicto Simpliciter)?
When false characteristics are given to an argument and the argument is based on those false characteristics rather than the real argument. You took the words right out of my mouth . . . no, wait!! I didn't mean that!
What is Straw Man?
Making a point about a subject and supporting it with evidence.
What is an argument?
What is Patriotic Approach or Appeal?
The argument must be false because the implications of it being true would create negative results. Say it isn't so, Joe!
What is Argument from Adverse Consequences (Argumentum ad Consequentiam)?
Falsely assuming that one thing will inevitably lead to another, and another, and another, until we have reached some unavoidable consequence.
What is Slippery Slope?
When there is a divide between the premise and the conclusion of an argument. Penguins are cool and so am I. Therefore, I am a penguin.
What is Non-Sequitur?
Trying to persuade by showing that you are a person of moral character who can be trusted.
What is ethos?
"All the best people are doing it! You want to be like them, right?"
What is Snob Approach or Appeal?
Arguing that something is true because it has not been proved false, or that it is false because it has not been proved true.
What is Appeal to Ignorance (Argumentum ad Ignoratiam)?
When the arguer raises a side issue that distracts the audience from the actual argument. SQUIRREL!!
What is Red Herring?
Sliding between two or more different meanings of a word or phrase that is critical to the argument. Sally is eating a peanut. My dog's name is Peanut. Therefore, Sally is eating my dog.
What is Equivocation?