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Fallacies As Bad Arguments

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Fallacies As Bad Arguments

Fallacies are considered bad arguments since they give a biased argument that is

critically unsatisfactory and does not give a complete point of view; instead, they are

logically unsound. When a fallacy is present in an argument, it weakens the argument’s

credibility and makes it less convincing. The fallacies on the website are bad arguments since

they imply flawed, deceptive, and invalid information.

One example of a fallacy that is a bad argument is Ad Hominem. It is considered a

flawed argumentative strategy because it targets the individual making the argument instead

of addressing the evidence and logic behind a statement (Dunning, 2012). This approach

provides no actual counter to the argument and relies on emotional appeals to discredit the

speaker.

Another fallacy that implies a bad argument is Red Herring. It is an ineffective

argument strategy as it diverts attention away from the main point being discussed. The

original argument lacks solid evidence to support its conclusion, causing the opponent to

switch to a different topic (Ferrer, 2019). This type of fallacy is considered bad because it can

prevent a meaningful discussion from taking place and can be used to mislead others by

bringing into play an irrelevant issue.

Argument from authority is another bad argument. It emphasizes the credibility of a

single authority figure or institution instead of basing the argument’s strength on logic and

sound reasoning (Dunning, 2012). This reasoning error is viewed as bad because it can result

in accepting false or incorrect information just because a person backs it in a position of

authority.

Conclusion

Ad Hominem, Red Herring, and Argument from Authority are some fallacies

considered bad arguments. They distract from the actual argument, mislead the discussion,
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and can lead to accepting false or misleading information. To avoid these types of fallacies, it

is vital to critically evaluate arguments based on their merits rather than buying them based

on the authority of the person making the argument.

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Reference

Dunning, B. (2012). Logical Fallacies 1 [Video].

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N3TROA8MYY

Ferrer, D. (2019). 15 Logical Fallacies You Should Know Before Getting Into a Debate.