Logical fallacy

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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

  • 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
  • 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
  • fallacy of relevance
  • ignoratio elenchi an argument that misses the point
  • 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