Anterola, John Nathaniel D.

03/01/20
DFFD1 Mr. Ronald B. Yago
LOGIC (FALLACIES)
LOGIC
• Formal system of analysis
• Invent, demonstrate, and pose arguments
• Works by testing propositions against one another to determine their accuracy
• “To be logical, a proposition must be tested within a logical sequence.”
• LOGICAL REASONING
o The process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound
mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion
• FALLACIES
o The use of invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning
o “Wrong moves” in the construction of an argument
o May be deceptive by appearing to be better than it really is
o from the Latin term fallere, fallacy means, “to deceive”
o Conceals errors, it projects an apparent truth
o It usually begins by appealing to some genuine truths

Sophism or sophistry – a fallacy committed intentionally to deceive or mislead an

audience into taking some action based on false information.

Paralogism – a fallacy employed unknowingly or through the ignorance of the rules of

correct reasoning.

Types of Fallacies
Formal Fallacy – involves error in the form, arrangement or technical structure of an
argument, due to lack of skill in reasoning, or training in the logical process.

Informal Fallacy – committed when irrelevant

psychological factors are allowed to distort the reasoning process, e.g., pity, threat,
character assassination, etc., and focusing not on the form of argument, but on the
meaning of the argument.

KINDS
1. SYLLOGISTIC
- Most common logical fallacy
Ex. All crows are black. The bird in the cage is black. Therefore, it is a crow
2. SLIPPERY SLOPE
- Falsely assumes that one thing must lead to another
Ex. If I allow my son to become an atheist, he will start murdering people for fun because
he will have no morals at all
3. BANDWAGON
- Latin: Argumentum ad Populum (“Appeal to People”)
- Going with the crowd or majority
Ex. Kristina likes reading and doesn’t care much for volleyball. Kristina’s friends make fun
of her for not playing. Kristina stops reading and plays volleyball instead
4. CIRCULAR ARGUMENT
- The argument takes evidence from an element in the
argument itself
- The reasoned begins with what they are trying to end with
Ex. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great speaker because he was so eloquent
5. IGNORANCE
- Something is true because it hasn’t yet been proven false
Ex. Since there is no proof against ghosts and aliens, they exist
6. HASTY GENERALIZATION
- Jumping into conclusions
Ex. Students are more focused on getting good grades rather than actually learning
7. STRAW MAN
- Giving the impression of attacking an argument while actually
attacking a distorted version of said argument
Ex. Matilda works for a science magazine. She says to her boss, “… and given my
contributions to the magazine, I deserve to be credited as an editor.” Her boss replies,
“So fame is more important to you than writing?”
8. ILLOGICAL CONCLUSION
- Attesting a conclusion that does not follow from the
suggestions or facts
Ex. All Dubliners are from Ireland. Ronan is not a Dubliner so clearly, he is not Irish
9. CAUSAL
- A cause is incorrectly identified
- KINDS
o FALSE CAUSE
▪ Mistakenly attempting to establish a causal
connection
Ex. I failed my exam because my professor is a Pisces and I am a Leo
• POST HOC
▪ Latin: Post hoc ergo propter hoc (“After this,
therefore, because of this”)
Ex. The rooster crowed then the sun came up. Therefore, the rooster made the sun rise
• CORRELATIONAL
▪ Mistakenly interpreting the things found together
as being causally related
Ex. Aztecs sacrifice prisoners to the sun god to prevent the end of the world. The world
hasn’t yet come to an end, therefore, sacrificing prisoners prevent the end of the world.
10. BEGGING THE CLAIM
- The conclusion that must be proven is validated within the
claim
Ex. Filthy and polluting coal should be banned
11. AD POPULUM
- Popular opinion
 - An emotional appeal that speaks to positive or negative
concepts rather than the real issue
Ex. If you were a true American, you would support the right of people to choose whatever
vehicle they want
12. MORAL EQUIVALENCE
- Compares minor misdeeds with major atrocities
Ex. The police officer who gave me a ticket is as evil as Hitler