15 Logical fallacies

Hasty Generalizations

An argument based on insufficient evidence; one looking only at a small group as representative of the whole. Ex-Concluding that all fraternities are party houses because you have seen three parties at one fraternity

False Authority

Assuming that an authority in one field has knowledge and credibility in another area Ex-A popular sports star may know a lot about football, but very little about shaving cream. His expertise on the playing field does not qualify him to intelligently discuss the benefits of aloe

Tu Quoque

Avioding the real argument by making similar charges against the opponent Ex-How can the police ticket me for speeding? I see cops speeding all the time

Red Herrings

Little relevance is given to the argument at hand. Ex-Winthrop should pave the lot behind Dinkins. Besides, I can never find a parking space on campus anyway.

Ignoring the Question

Rather than answering the question that has been asked or addressing the issue at hand, the writer shifts focus, supplying an unrelated argument, dodging the real issue of the debate. Ex-During a press conference, a political candidate is asked a pointed, specific question about some potentially illegal fund-raising activity. Instead of answering the allegations, the candidate gives a rousing speech thanking all of his financial supporters.

Either-Or Arguments (False Dilemma)

Reducing complex issues to black and white choices although there are other solutions. Ex-Either we go to Panama City for the whole week of Spring Break, or we don't go anywhere at all

Slippery Slopes

Suggesting that one step will inevitably lead to more, eventually negative steps. While sometimes the results may be negative, the slippery slope argues that the descent is inevitable and unalterable Ex-If we force public elementary school pupils to wear uniforms, eventually we will require middle school students to wear uniforms. If we require middle school students to wear uniforms, high school requirements aren't far off. Eventually even college students who attend state-funded, public universities will be forced to wear uniforms

Non sequitur

The conclusion doesn't logically follow the explanation Ex-The rain came down so hard that Jennifer actually called me

Equivocation

The writer makes use of a word's multiple meanings and changes the meanings in the middle of the argument without really telling the audience about the shift. Ex-I have told the truth, and I have always heard that the truth would set me free

Begging the Question (circular logic)

The writer presents an arguable point as a fact that supports the argument Ex-These movies are popular because they make so much money. They make a lot of money because people like them. People like them because they are so popular

Post Hoc (Ergo Propter Hoc)

Writer assumes that because one event follows another in time that the first event caused the second. Ex-Eating five candy bars and drinking two sodas before a test helps me get better grades. I did that and got an A on my last test in history

Ad Hominem

Writer attempts to refute the claims of the opposition by bringing the opposition's character into question. Ex-Candidate A claims that Candidate B cannot possibly be an advocate for the working people because he enjoys the opera more than professional wrestling

Opposing a Straw Man

Writer finds it easier to refute an oversimplified opposition or pick only the opposition's weakest or most insignificant point to refute. Ex-The debate over drink machines centers around cost and choice. Opponents of the new drink machines bring up their location as an important issue.

Bandwagon Appeals

Writer tries to convince readers that since everyone else believes something, so the reader should also. Ex-Fifty million Elvis fans can't be wrong!

Faulty Analogies

Writer uses similar situations to explain a relationship but the comparisons/metaphors relate ideas or situations that upon closer inspection aren't really that similar. Ex-Forcing students to attend cultural events is like herding cattle to slaughter. The students stampede in to the event where they are systematically 'put to sleep' by the program