Logical Fallacies
Fallacy
1. Appeal to Authority
2. Hasty (lack of time)/Faulty
Generalization
3. Forced Hypothesis/ Appeal
to ignorance
It’s an error in
inductive reasoning.
4. Appeal to Pity
5. Slippery Slope
6. False Dilemma
“either/or reasoning
False Dichotomy
Definition
We often add strength to our
argument by referring to
respected sources or authorities
and explaining their positions
on the issues we are discussing
A conclusion drawn from
unrepresentative evidence, too
little evidence, or from
ignoring some evidence.
It is due to the lack of evidence
when drawing a conclusion.
The evidence can be explained
more simply or by a different
hypothesis.
The appeal to pity takes place
when an arguer tries to get
people to accept a conclusion
by making them feel sorry for
someone.
It is the assumption that if 1
thing is allowed, it will be the
first step in a downward spiral.
A statement that only two
alternatives exist in a situation,
while in fact there are more
than two.
Example
We should abolish the death
penalty. Many respected people
such as actor Guy Handsome,
have publicly stated their
opposition to it.
Paul is a poor student because
he failed his first test.
Professor Kurt’s students got
As and Bs last semester, so he
must be an excellent teacher.
People have been trying for
centuries to prove that God
exists. But no one has yet been
able to prove it. Therefore, God
does not exist.
I know the exam is graded
based on performance, but you
should give me an A. My cat
has been sick, my car broke
down, and I’ve had a cold, so it
was really hard for me to study.
If you give many assignments,
we will fail because we won’t
have time to study.
We must either build more
nuclear power plants or be
completely dependent on
foreign oil.
7. False Analogy
8. Post Hoc/Ergo Propter Hoc
or False Cause
“after this, therefore
because of it”
9. Begging the Question
(Hints: Obviously, the
fact is, clearly)
(when you prove a claim
correct before
discussion/providing
arguments)
10. Red Herring
(a smelly fish)
11. Straw Man
12. Ad Hominem
(appeal to feelings)
(personal attack, name-
calling in
political campaigns)
It is the false assumption that
because 2 things are alike in
some ways, they must be alike
in others.
It is the assumption that
because one event follows
another, the 1st is the cause of
the 2nd.
It assumes that part of the
argument is true without
supporting it. Circular
reasoning can be a kind of
begging the question.
The arguer raises a side issue
that distracts the audience from
what’s really at stake.
To deconstruct the opponent’s
argument or claim in order to
make it easier to attack.
Making your opponent seem
ridiculous / ignorant.
It refers to a personal attack on
an opponent that draws
attention away from the issue
under consideration.
The US lost credibility with
other nations during the war in
Vietnam so we should not get
involved in the Middle East or
we will lose credibility again.
We should throw out the entire
university council. Since the
members were elected, the
university has gone into
overspending.
Clearly we need to fire corrupt
teachers in order to improve the
university’s grading system.
The senator is an honest
woman, she loves her children
and gives to charity.
Those who favor gun control
want to take guns from
responsible citizens and place
them with criminals.
Ms. Maya is giving us a quiz
on fallacies. She is an
inconsiderate and mean person.