Logical fallacy: Difference between revisions

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==Logical fallacies and tricks==
==Logical fallacies and tricks==
*ad hominem
*ad populum / bandwagon appeal
*begging the question
*begging the question
*broken leg fallacy
*broken leg fallacy
**presents a solution for a problem caused by that or a related solution
**presents a solution for a problem caused by that or a related solution
**i.e, break the leg, then offer to fix it
**i.e, break the leg, then offer to fix it
*circular argument
**restates the argument rather than proving it
**ex. "''She's a great skater because she skates well''"
*confusing credentials for evidence
*confusing credentials for evidence
**i.e., "98% of dentists recommend flossing"
**i.e., "98% of dentists recommend flossing"
***does not provide evidence for the benefits of flossing, just that supposed experts say so
***does not provide evidence for the benefits of flossing, just that supposed experts say so
*either/or
*fallacy of relevance
*fallacy of relevance
*false equivalence
**illogical comparison of dissimilar subjects
**i.e., comparing "apples to oranges"
*genetic fallacy
**fallacy that of the origins of something determine its value
**ex., the VW was designed by Hitler, and Hitler is evil, therefore the VW is evil
*hasty generalization
**
*''ignoratio elenchi'' an argument that misses the point
*''ignoratio elenchi'' an argument that misses the point
*moral equivalence fallacy
**illogically compares things of distinct moral or ethical dimensions
**ex., "''That politician who disagrees with me is a Nazi!''"
*non sequitur
*non sequitur
**" Humpty Dumptying" or "Humpty Dumptyisms":
**" Humpty Dumptying" or "Humpty Dumptyisms":

Revision as of 01:12, 21 February 2023

Logical fallacies, or logical errors, are erroneous, illogical, or misleading arguments or claims

  • erroneous = contains an error of fact or
  • illogical = draws a conclusion not supported by premises
  • misleading = deliberately constructed to deceive or mislead

See Social Studies skills: Logical and observational fallacies & paradoxes for list of logical and observational fallacies regarding the Social Sciences.

Logical fallacies and tricks[edit | edit source]

  • ad hominem
  • ad populum / bandwagon appeal
  • begging the question
  • broken leg fallacy
    • presents a solution for a problem caused by that or a related solution
    • i.e, break the leg, then offer to fix it
  • circular argument
    • restates the argument rather than proving it
    • ex. "She's a great skater because she skates well"
  • confusing credentials for evidence
    • i.e., "98% of dentists recommend flossing"
      • does not provide evidence for the benefits of flossing, just that supposed experts say so
  • either/or
  • fallacy of relevance
  • false equivalence
    • illogical comparison of dissimilar subjects
    • i.e., comparing "apples to oranges"
  • genetic fallacy
    • fallacy that of the origins of something determine its value
    • ex., the VW was designed by Hitler, and Hitler is evil, therefore the VW is evil
  • hasty generalization
  • ignoratio elenchi an argument that misses the point
  • moral equivalence fallacy
    • illogically compares things of distinct moral or ethical dimensions
    • ex., "That politician who disagrees with me is a Nazi!"
  • non sequitur
    • " Humpty Dumptying" or "Humpty Dumptyisms":
    • = an "arbitrary redefinition" like that used by Humpty Dumpty in "Alice in Wonderland"
    • who tells Alice, "“When I use a word it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”
  • red herring
  • strawman fallacy
    • = the target of an argument (the "strawman") has nothing to do with the actual argument
  • either-or fallacy
    • incorrectly argues only two options or possibilities
  • see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies

See also