Logical Fallacies

Post hoc (false cause)

an argument where one reasons that because one things happened, that event caused another // "My volleyball team was losing every game until I got new shoes. We haven't lost a game since I bought them."

Weak or Faulty Analogy

assuming that because 2 things are alike in one way, they are alike in another // "People who have to have a cup of coffee every morning before they can function have no less a problem than alcoholics who have to have their alcohol each day to sustain them."

Bandwagon (form of Ad Populum)

believing something is true or acceptable because it is popular... "Ad Populum" refers to appealing the people // fashion trends

Hasty Generalizations

making an argument from a small number of statistics or little facts // "My dad has been smoking his whole life and hasn't had any problems with his health, therefore, smoking doesn't have any serious effects and can't be unhealthy."

Ad hominem

means "to attack someone" ... instead of addressing someone's argument, you attack the person making the argument // "You wouldn't understand because you never had to struggle." ; used a lot in court cases ("You cheated and lied to your wife, but you expect the jury to believe you now?")

Tu quoque (you're another)

occurs when an accused person turns the argument back on the accuser // "Mother: You should stop smoking. It's harmful to your health. Daughter: Why should I listen to you? You started smoking when you were 16!"

Red Herring

occurs when someone introduces irrelevant evidence in an attempt to distract others from the topic that's being discussed... avoiding the topic // "Interviewer: It's been two years since your policies were implemented, and so far they have failed to reduce unemployment rates. Politician: I have been working hard ever since I came into office, and I'm happy to say that I met with many business leaders throughout the country, who all say that they're glad to see that our hard work is paying off."

Missing the Point or Irrelevant Conclusion

reaches a relevant conclusion but misses the point... the claims may be logically valid, but they don't address the argument in question // "Hippos can't be dangerous to humans, because they are so calm and look so cute."

Snob Appeal (form of Ad Populum)

refers to the qualities or attributes of a product would make someone want to buy it // "Cigarette ads with big and tough guys smoking cigarettes makes it seem that the consumer, too, could be amongst the elite hearty men who smoke cigarettes."

Equivocation

using an ambiguous term in more than one sense, making the argument misleading // "I want to have myself a merry little Christmas, but I refuse to do as the song suggests and make the yuletide gay. I don't think sexual preference should have anything to do with enjoying the holiday."

Appeal to Authority (false authority)

using authority as evidence in your argument, but that authority figure not really an expert on the argument // "My 5th-grade teacher once told me that girls would go crazy for boys if they learn how to dance. Therefore, if you want to make the ladies go crazy for you, learn to dance."

Appeal to Pity

using pity to distract the reader from the truth of the conclusion // "I deserve an "A" on this paper, professor because I studied during my grandmother's funeral." ; "My dog didn't do it, look how adorable he is!"

Ignoring the Question

when an arguer responds to the argument by avoiding the question completely ... unlike straw man, this one does not create a new argument, it simply avoids the argument // "Molly: It is 3:00 in the morning, you are drunk, covered in lipstick, and your shirt is on backward! Would you care to explain yourself? Rick: You look wonderful tonight, honey! Molly: (softening) You think so? I got my hair cut today!"

Begging the Question (begging the claim) (circular reasoning)

when an argument just assumes the truth of a conclusion, rather than supporting it // "Paranormal activity is real because I have experienced what can only be described as paranormal activity."

Either-Or (false dilemma/false dichotomy)

when only two points are presented, but there are more that exist // "You either believe in God or you don't."

Slippery Slope

when someone makes a claim about a serious events that would lead to one major event (usually something bad)... jumping to conclusions // "If we enact any kind of gun control laws, the next thing you know, we won't be allowed to have any guns at all."

Non Sequitur (it doesn't follow)

when the evidence used is irrelevant and does not provide a solid dressing behind an argument // "People generally like to walk on the beach. Beaches have sand. Therefore, having sand floors in homes would be a great idea!"

Straw man

when you takes one's argument and exaggerate it // "Person 1: I think pollution from humans contributes to climate change. Person 2: So, you think humans are directly responsible for extreme weather, like hurricanes, and have caused the droughts in the southwestern U.S.?"