Chapter 8
Your own personal logic experience used as a reference
Internal Sources
The study of the roots and origin of a word.
Etymology
An argument tool that compares an abstract idea to a similar, simpler concept that is more common and clear
Analogy
Incorrectly blaming one event/ things for causing another
False Cause
The witness of everyday examples, ordinary people, and expert authority.
Testimony
Types of Argument/ logic created by Aristotle in his famous book Rhetoric.
Common Topics
Words that have an opposite meaning to another word.
Antonyms
Comparing two things that are too dissimilar- or, conversely, too similar- for any appropriate conclusion to be drawn.
False Analogy
When people research and comprehend elements of the past so they can apply that knowledge to current situations in the present.
Circumstance
A wise saying, not always spoken by an expert in the field, that can stand out authoritatively due to its cleverness.
Proverb
Someone else's logical example used as a reference
External Sources
Words that have the same or a similar meaning to another word
Synonyms
The causal link between two factors (i.e., how one factor influences another)
Relationship
The belief that because many people are doing something or believing something makes it right.
Bandwagon
When someone uses the authority of an expert in one field to prove a point in another field.
Appeal to Illegitimate Authority
A commonly recognized type of poor argument; an error in reasoning.
Fallacy
Instances or illustrations of a larger group or concept and one of the best ways to clarify a term.
Examples
An exception to the rule which is not representative of a generally accepted reality.
Anomaly
The belief that whatever is “old” is automatically better.
Appeal to Tradition
Incorrectly emphasizing a certain element of a quotation, knowing that what is emphasized is not what the author intended.
Fallacy of Accent
When a person draws a conclusion from a caricatured or otherwise distorted version of his opponent’s argument.
Straw Man Fallacy
A reasonable definition for a word that one or two people create on the spot for the purpose of clarifying a term.
Stipulative definition
When someone bases a conclusion on too small a sample size, or too few examples
Hasty Generalization
The belief that whatever is “new” is automatically better.
Appeal to Novelty
Any example or illustration of a result or test.
Sample