Fallacies

Attributing Guilt By Association -Def: When the source is viewed negatively because of its association with another person or group who is already viewed negatively Curtis, Gary N. "Guilt by Association." Logical Fallacy:.N.p., 2011. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. -Ex: Delores is a big supporter for equal pay for equal work. This is the same policy that all those extreme feminist groups support. Extremists like Delores should not be taken seriously -- at least politically. Bennett, Bo. "Ad Hominem (Guild by Association)." Ad Hominem (Guild by Association). Archieboy Holdings, LLC, 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2015 -Analysis: The writer is making the assumption that Delores is an extreme feminist just because she supports a policy that virtually every man and woman also support, is false.

-Counter-Arg: If one can establish that a distinct connection between the two characteristics was somehow inherited buy association through being causally linked, or the probability of these characteristics being similar as surprisingly high, then the argument would be valid. -My Ex: Having friends that cheat on tests and thus being disliked by your teachers because they think you cheat. -My Analysis: Teachers dislike you because they believe you cheat on your tests since your friends do. -My Counter-Arg: Just because someone cheats on something doesn't mean you did.

Glittering Generality -Def: A glittering generality is the use of vague, emotionally appealing virtue words that dispose us to approve something without closely examining the reasoning. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Coach said to possible supporters, "We have the greatest team ever and it deserves your support." "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: The coach hopes to gain support from people by labeling his team as the "greatest team ever". He does not try to justify the reasoning for his team being the greatest, but instead uses the word to gain the appeal of others.

-Counter-Arg: Just because the coach said his team is the greatest doesn't give us any factual evidence or reasons to believe this is the case. His team may or may not be the greatest, but provided with the coach's information, no one is able to logically conclude to supporting the coach's "greatest" team. -My Ex: Obama visited my school. Which means my school is the best. -My Analysis: The speaker believes that since Obama visited his school is must be a really good school. -My Counter-Arg: Obama may have visited other schools or simply just came there because he knows someone from there.

Hasty Generalization -Def: Drawing a conclusion based on a small sample size, rather than looking at statistics that are much more in line with the typical or average situation. Bennett, Bo. "Hasty Generalization." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. -Ex: "My father smoke four packs of cigarettes a day since age fourteen and lived until age sixty-nine. Therefore, smoking really can't be that bad for you." Bennett, Bo. "Hasty Generalization." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. -Analysis: The narrator draws the universal rule that smoking isn't harmful based on the evidence from just their father.

-Counter-Arg: The sample size is too small to derive an accurate conclusion from it. We would need to survey thousand of diverse people to determine whether smoking poses health risks. -My Ex: Some people at school never do their homework and still get really good grades. Therefore, I shouldn't have to do my homework. -My Analysis: Since people at school don't do their homework and can still pull off A's I feel that I shouldn't have to do my homework. -My Counter-Arg: People who don't do their homework get A's on every test they take, and not everyone can get A's on their tests. So, it would be a bad idea to lose homework credit.

Red Herring -Def: Attempting to redirect the argument to another issue that to which the person doing the redirecting can better respond. Bennett, Bo. "Red Herrings." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC, n.d. Web. 28 mar. 2015 -Ex: Mike: It is morally wrong to cheat on your spouse, why would you have done that? Ken: But what is morality exactly? Mike: It's a code of conduct shared by cultures. Ken: But who creates this code? Bennett, Bo. "Red Herrings." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC, n.d. Web. 28 mar. 2015 -Analysis: By answering mike's question with a question, the focus is shifted away from the main argument that ken is acting unmoral.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that ken genuinely has no concept of morality and is therefore unable to deem his own actions as unmoral. Ken could sincerely be asking Mike what morality is. -My Ex: Teacher: Where is your homework? Student: Do you think it's possible for the sky to fall? Teacher: I don't know, now where is your homework? Student: Do you think it would cause a lot of problems if it did? -My Analysis: The student tries to avoid the question of where his homework is by asking the teacher if the sky could fall and what would happen if it did. -My Counter-Arg: The student may just really want to know what would happen if the sky would fall. He just asked his question at a bad time.

False Dilemma(Either/Or) -Def: When only two choices are presented yet more exist, or a spectrum of possible choices exists between two extremes. Generally expressed as "either this or that." Bennet, Bo. "False Dilemma." logicallyfallacious.com n.p, 2015. Web. 09 April 2015 -Ex: I thought you were a good person, but you weren't at church today. Bennet, Bo. "False Dilemma." logicallyfallacious.com n.p, 2015. Web. 09 April 2015 -Analysis: The false dilemma is that the example provides only two choices: either you go to church and you are a good person, or you don't go to church and you are a bad person. Of course, there are good people that don't go to church and the bad people that do. The fallacy excludes all those in between.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that the good person who didn't go to church that day had a very good reason for not going-maybe a close relative died, he or she is in the hospital, etc. Therefore it cannot be stated that just because one was not at church one day he or she is a bad person. -My Ex: I thought you were a preacher but you won't pray. -My Analysis: The preacher in Grapes of Wrath doesn't like to pray. -My Counter-Arg: The preacher keeps telling people that he is no longer a preacher and yet people look towards him when they need one.

Appealing to improper authority -Def: Using an authority as evidence in your argument when the authority is not really an authority on the facts relevant to the argument. Bennett, Bo. "Appeal to Authority." Appeal to Authority. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. -Ex: My 5th grade teacher once told me that girls will 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. Bennett, Bo. "Appeal to Authority." Appeal to Authority. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: The example demonstrates Ad Verecundiam because the teacher's one opinion is not a credible source. It is not a proven fact that girls will like boys more if they how to dance, this conclusion is simply an opinion based on what the teacher feels and believes.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that the teacher took a class in college on analyzing and understanding relationship behaviors and trends. -My Ex: My teacher told me the best way to do get a good grade in class is to get a good grade on the tests. Therefore, if you want to get a good grade in any of your classes, Ace the test. -My Analysis: The student believes that to be successful in his classes, he needs to get a good grade on his test. -My Counter-Arg: Some teachers may have homework worth more in their class then tests, and so you would end up failing.

Sliding down a Slippery Slope -Def: Sliding down a slippery is slope is the assumption that if an event "A" occurs, the event "B" will eventually happen as well. Therefore, event "A" should not happen in the first place. Yourlogicalfalacyis.com. N.p., Web.23 Mar. 2015. -Ex: Kevin: "If we allow same-sex couples to get married, then the next thing were know we'll be allowing people to marry their parents, their cars , and even monkeys." Yourlogicalfalacyis.com. N.p., Web.23 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: This example shows a scenario of a slippery slope because Kevin is saying that if homosexuals are allowed to get married, then people will be marrying monkeys, even though the two events are totally un-related. The assumption that people will be marrying monkeys is being directly derived from the fact that homosexuals are being allowed to get married, which is why Kevin thinks they should not get married in the first place.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that there is no evidence linking the marriage of homosexuals and the marriage of monkeys together. Therefore it cannot be concluded that monkeys and people will be able to get married if homosexuals can get married. -My Ex: If we remove homework from school then the next thing that'll be removed is tests, and then maybe school itself. -My Analysis: The speaker is saying if homework is removed then tests and school itself will be eventually removed. -My Counter-Arg: If homework was removed from school there is no way of telling what schools would do next. So, there is no reason to jump to conclusions.

Statistical Fallacy -Def: Presenting statistical data in a very biased way and interpreting statistics without questioning the methods behind collecting and presenting the data "Lying with Statistics." Lying with Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Did you see the bar graph in USA Today? It showed a HUGE spike in the moral decline of our country! "Lying with Statistics." Lying with Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: First, there is no real way to determine the morality of the US because it is subjective. Next, the spike is exaggerated to be huge, which can be interpreted in any size.For example, the graph could have a 4% increase on a scale from 1 to 10, and that would look like a huge jump, but in reality it's very small.

-Counter-Arg: One could say that subject (morality) is subjective and can't be determined by a graph. -My Ex: Did you guys see the bar graph that showed infant mortality? There was a huge difference from 2010 to 2015 -My Analysis: The speaker sees a bar graph that shows 2010 and 2015 infant mortality in America and notices that there is a huge different in the bars. -My Counter-Arg: The bars themselves have a huge difference but the percentage went up by less than 1%

Ad Hominem Tu Quoque -Def: Claiming the argument is flawed by pointing out that the person making the argument is not consistently with the claims of the argument Bennett, Bo. "Ad Hominem(Tu Quoque)." LogicallyFallacious.Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n .d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. -Ex: Helga: You should not be eating that... it has been scientifically proven that eating fat burgers are no good for your health. Hugh: You eat fat burgers all the time so that can't be true. Bennett, Bo. "Ad Hominem(Tu Quoque)." LogicallyFallacious.Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: Helga eats Fatburger and yet criticizes Hugh for doing so. Because she doesn't practice what she preaches. -Counter-Arg: Just because I eat Fatburgers doesn't mean they are healthy.

-Counter-Arg: (Couldn't find this one on the website) -My Ex: Dave: You should stop smoking. It is very bad for your health. Joe: You smoke all the time, so that can't be true. -My Analysis: Joe feels that since Dave is smoking it isn't bad for your health. -My Counter-Arg: Dave could just be looking out for Joe and trying to make sure he doesn't get hooked on smoking like Dave did.

Straw Man -Def: Substituting a person's actual position or argument with a distorted, exaggerated, or misrepresented version of the position of the argument Bennet, Bo. "Strawman Fallacy." Strawman Fallacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Zebedee: What is your view on the Christian God? Mike: I don't believe in any gods, including the Christian one. Zebedee: So you think that we are here by accident, and all this design in nature is pure chance, and the universe just created itself? Mike: You got all that from me stating that I just don't believe in any gods? Bennet, Bo. "Strawman Fallacy." Strawman Fallacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: We can conclude that Mike is not a theist, he is not a practicing Christian, Catholic, Jew, or a member of any other religion that requires the belief in a god, but we cannot conclude that he believes we are all here by accident, nature is chance, and the universe created itself. Mike might have no beliefs about these things whatsoever.

-Counter-Arg: Although Mike doesn't believe in any gods, doesn't guarantee that he believes the universe was created by chance. Mike could have other theories about how the universe came to be that he did not explain to Zebedee in the moment. It is wrong for Zebedee to assume Mike's position on the particular argument without allowing Mike to explain. -My Ex: -My Analysis: -My Counter-Arg:

Hypothesis Contrary to Fact -Def: Offering a poorly supported claim about what might have happened in the past or future, if circumstances or conditions were different. The fallacy also entails treating future hypothetical situations as if they are fact "Hypothesis Contrary to Fact." Hypothesis Contrary to Fact. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. -Ex: John, if you would have taken a shower more often, you would still be dating Tina. "Hypothesis Contrary to Fact." Hypothesis Contrary to Fact. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: John's advisor claims that his girlfriend would still be with him had John showered more often; however, this conclusion is impossible to predict. Because all of the effects of the hypothetical change cannot be predicted, it is illogical for John's friend to assume he/she can foresee this alternate future

-Counter-Arg: Because it is impossible to predict the events of this alternate timeline, John's friend is incorrect in asserting his/her conclusion as fact. It is possible that John's new bathing habits could affect his relationship negatively through unforeseen variables -My Ex: -My Analysis: -My Counter-Arg:

Misrepresentation -Def: To describe something in a false way. "Misrepresentation" Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Karl wants to buy a house from John. Karl asks John if the house has any termite damage. Even though the house does have termite damage, John tells Karl it doesn't "Misrepresentation, Nondisclosure, Duress and Undue Influence."Mispresentation, Nondisclosure, Duress, and Undue Influence. Web. 23 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: John commits the fallacy because he says there is no termite damage, misrepresenting the truth about the house.

-Counter-Arg: Even though John misrepresented the truth about the damage, he could argue that he had no knowledge about it. -My Ex: Dave: wants to buy a burger, and asks Joe if there are any pickles in it. Joe tells him there isn't even though there is. -My Analysis: Joe tells Dave that the burger has no pickles even though there are which means Joe is misrepresenting the truth. -My Counter-Arg: Joe may not have known that there were pickles in the burger or maybe Joe gave him the wrong burger.

Reductio ad absurdum -Def: To reduce an argument to absurdity by drawing the conclusions with logical limits or showing ridiculous consequences. "Reductio Ad Absurdum - Definition & Examples." Literary Devices. N.p., 18 May 2014. Web. 09 Mar. 2015. -Ex: I am going into surgery tomorrow so please pray for me. If enough people pray for me, God will protect me from harm and see to it that I have a successful surgery and speedy recovery. "Reductio Ad Absurdum." Reductio Ad Absurdum. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: We assume that if enough people pray to God for her successful surgery and speedy recovery, then God will grant her just that. From this statement, we understand that she believes God listens to popular opinion only. If God answered prayers based on popularity, that would be unjust and absurd. Therefore the statement is absurd and false.

-Counter-Arg: How the surgery goes is dependent on the doctors and the doctors only. God does not have the capability in making sure the surgery and recovery are successful. -My Ex: I'm going to take a fallacy test and I'm scared. So, please give me hugs and high fives so that I can get a good grade on it. -My Analysis: By people giving my hugs and high fives I will be able to get a good grade on my English Test. -My Counter-Arg: Just because people give me hugs and high fives, it may give me encouragement, but it can't actually give me an A on the test.

Poisoning the Well -Def: a rhetorical device where adverse information about a target is preemptively presented to an audience, with the intention of discrediting or ridiculing everything that the target person is about to say. "Poisoning the Well." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015. -Ex: CITY COUNCILMAN: The Mayor's a very good talker. Yes, talk he can do . . . and do very well. But when it comes time for action, that's a different matter. "Poisoning the Well." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: If he remains silent, he runs the risk of appearing to accept the councilman's criticisms. But if he stands up and defends himself, then he is talking; and the more he talks, the more he appears to be confirming the accusations. The well has been poisoned, and the mayor is in a difficult position.

-Counter-Arg: In reality, the mayor is not a good speaker and if he does or doesn't respond to the city councilman's attack does not dictate whether he is accepting the accusation or not. -My Ex: -My Analysis: -My Counter-Arg:

Appealing to Tradition -Def: Appeals to antiquity assume that older ideas are better, that the fact that an idea has been around for a while implies that it is true. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Appeal to Antiquity Tradition Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Dave: For five generations, the men in our family went to Stanford and became doctors, while the owmen got married and raised children. Therefore, it is my duty to become a doctor. Kaitlin: Do you want to become a doctor? Dave: It doesn't matter -- it is our family tradition. Who am I to break it? "Appeal to Tradition." Appeal to Tradition. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: Dave disregards his personal career desires because he feels compelled to carry on the family tradition of becoming a doctor. He commits the fallacy when he uses the explanation of "this is the way it's always been." which is in fact not a reason, but an absence of a reason.

-Counter-Arg: It is unnecessary for Dave to continue his family's line of male doctors. The custom itself isn't a bad thing, but it isn't the right thing to do just because it has been repeated in the past. Assuming that becoming a doctor is correct just because it's a tradition is poor reasoning. -My Ex: People have believe in god for 1000's of years so, I should believe in god. -My Analysis: The speaker thinks since people have believing in god for such a long time he should follow the tradition and start believing in god. -My Counter-Arg: It could be that because of these people the tradition continues and convinces more people to follow it even though it may not be true.

Biased Sample -Def: Drawing a conclusion using biased information, resulting in a conclusion that is inaccurate or different from the truth. Bennet, Bo. "Biased Sample Fallacy." Biased Sample Fallacy. Archieboy Holdings, LLC. -Ex: Based on a survey of 1000 American homeowners, 99% of those surveyed have two or more automobiles worth on average $100,00 each. Therefore, Americans are very wealthy. Bennet, Bo. "Biased Sample Fallacy." Biased Sample Fallacy. Archieboy Holdings, LLC. -Analysis: It is fallacious to accept the conclusion about the American population in general based on the fact that only homeowners were surveyed, you aren't given the location of where these homeowners live; and only 1,000 people were surveyed but America has a population 320.09 million.

-Counter-Arg: Just because 1,000 homeowners were surveyed and had two or more expensive cars doesn't prove that all Americans are wealthy. The people surveyed could be from Beverly Hills or The Hamptons. And only homeowners were surveyed not those who can;t afford to live in a home. -My Ex: The new president got more than 80% of the votes. Therefore, most people like him. -My Analysis: Since the president got the majority of votes, it means he is liked by most people. -My Counter-Arg: He got 80% of the votes however, only 20% of Americans voted.

Genetic Fallacy -Def: When an idea is either accepted or rejected because of its source, rather than its merit. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Genetic Fallacy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Mike: Eugenics was pioneered in Germany during the war. Therefore, eugenics is a bad thing. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Genetic Fallacy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: Mike comes to the conclusion that eugenics is bad because it began in Germany during the war, when the country was considered America's enemy. He is judging eugenics on the basis of where it comes from, rather than its merits.

-Counter-Arg: Just because eugenics flourished in Germany, it doesn't automatically make eugenics itself bad. Eugenics is not related to Germany's war time in any way, making the two subjects two totally different ideas. -My Ex: -My Analysis: -My Counter-Arg:

Fallacy of Division -Def: Inferring that something is true of one or more of the parts from the fact that it is true of the whole. Bennett, Bo "Fallacy of Division" Logically Fallacious Archieboy Holdings LLC, nd. Web 12 April 2015 -Ex: "His house is about half the size of most houses in the neighborhood, therefore, his doors must all be about 3 1/2 feet high." Bennett, Bo "Fallacy of Division" Logically Fallacious Archieboy Holdings LLC, nd. Web 12 April 2015 -Analysis: The size of one's house does not determine the size of the doors. The size of the house (the whole) is not directly related to the size of every part in the house.

-Counter-Arg: Just because the house is a half smaller the door doesn't have to be. -My Ex: His house is about half the size of other houses. So, his furniture should be for children. -My Analysis: Since the house is half the size of other houses so, should the stuff inside the house. -My Counter-Arg: Just because the house is smaller, doesn't mean the other objects need to be.

Appealing to Ignorance -Def: The assumption of a conclusion or fact based on lack of evidence to the contrary. "The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence" Bennett, Bo. "Argument from Ignorance." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2015. -Ex: We have not proven that the moon's core cannot be filled with spare ribs; therefore, the moon's core is filled with spare ribs. Bennett, Bo. "Argument from Ignorance." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: The examaple commits the fallacy in that it uses the lack of evidence that moon's core is not made of spare ribs to prove that the moon's core is spare ribs.

-Counter-Arg: Just because we cannot prove the moon's core isn't spare ribs, doesn't mean it is. The moon's core could be filled with any number of things, such as, rib-eye, porterhouse, or fillet mignon. -My Ex: We have never proven that their is life on another planet. Therefore, aliens exist. -My Analysis: The lack of evidence that we have not proven that aliens don't exist, means that they do. -My Counter-Arg: Just because there is a lack of evidence that aliens don't exist doesn't mean that they do. There is also a lack of evidence that they do.

Argumentum ad Baculum (Appeal to Force) -Def: When force, coercion, or even a threat of force is used in place of a reason in an attempt to justify a conclusion. Bennett, Bo. "APPEAL TO FORCE (argumentum ad baculum)" Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web 12 April 2015 -Ex: Melvin: Boss, why do I have to work weekends when nobody else in the company does? Boss: Am I sensing insubordination? I can find another employee very quickly, thanks to Craigslist, you know. Bennett, Bo. "APPEAL TO FORCE (argumentum ad baculum)" Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web 12 April 2015 -Analysis: Melvin has asked a legitimate question to which he did not get a legitimate answer, rather his question was deflected by a threat of a force (as being forced out of his job)

-Counter-Arg: Melvin could very well not be defying his boss. He just instead wants to know why he has to work weekends while none of his coworkers have to. -My Ex: Those who want to oppose how I run my business please say, "I quit." -My Analysis: The employees' boss is threatening them that if any of them oppose him then he will fire them. -My Counter-Arg: The employees may not oppose their boss, but in fact just want to know if he could be a little nicer.

Contradictory Premises -Def: Conclusions are drawn from the interactions of premises: where two premises contradict each other, there can be no interaction and hence no conclusion. Similarly, if the definitions of two terms conflict with or exclude each other, then those two terms cannot be simultaneously ascribed to a single object or event. Harris, Robert. "Material Fallacies 3." Material Fallacies 3. VirtualSalt, 6 June 2000. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Ex: If God can do anything, can he make a stone so heavy that he cannot lift it? Harris, Robert. "Material Fallacies 3." Material Fallacies 3. VirtualSalt, 6 June 2000. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: If God could do anything then he could make the stone so heavy he couldn't lift it, but his inability to lift it contradicts the earlier statement that god can do anything. A conclusion cannot be drawn because he either cannot not lift the stone or he cannot create it, but he can do anything.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that God cannot do anything whatsoever, God can only do what is logically possible and this statement is not logical -My Ex: I don't believe anything on the internet, but I believe in Wikipedia. -My Analysis: The person states that they don't believe anything on the internet, but they believe in Wikipedia which is on the internet. -My Counter-Arg: The person believe in Wikipedia which is apart of the internet which he said he didn't believe in. Making his statement contradictory.

Begging the Question -Def: This happens when the reader assumes "the truth of a conclusion that has not been proved." This error leads to an argument that goes around and around, with evidence making the same claim as the proposition. Aaron, Jane E. ed. The Compact Reader: Short Essays by Method and Theme. Boston: Bedford St. Martin's, 2008. Print. -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. Gunnar, R. "Argument: Logical Fallacies & Propaganda." Mr.Gunnar's English Class. Web. 7 Dec. 2009. -Analysis: The example commits the fallacy of Begging the Question because the conclusion, "People like them because they are so popular," has not been proved by the propositions: "These movies are popular because they make so much money," and "They make a lot of money because people like them."

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that a reason has not been cited about why the movies are popular. Saying that the "movie is popular" is saying the same thing as "people like the movie." They are assuming that the movie is popular because people like it, but that might not be the cause, or the only cause, of the popularity of the movie. -My Ex: Iphones are very popular because they are cool. They are cool because they are popular. -My Analysis: The Iphones are popular due to being cool however, they are cool due to being popular. And so, it begs the question. -My Counter-Arg: Some people could argue that its popular because its helpful not just because its cool.

Oversimplification (Dicto Simpliciter) -Def: Ignoring reason and grouping everything described into one confined category. Her own Definition -Ex: "Exercise is good. Therefore everybody should exercise." Nordquist, Richard. "dicto simpliciter(logical fallacy)". grammar.about.com. n.p, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015 -Analysis The speaker is saying that exercise is good and will benefit everyone, but does not consider that it may be harmful to other.s People who have been told to not exercise by their doctors would not follow the rule presented. The example represents oversimplification through not taking into consideration possible exceptions to the rule.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that exercise is bit vebefucuak ti everyone, such as people who have recently undergone surgery, due to possible injury or health complications. The example could be changed to "Exercise is beneficial. Therefore, those who would benefit from exercise and are in condition to do so should exercise." This would make the sentence not fallacious and specify the situation. -My Ex: Eating fruit is healthy. Therefore, everyone should eat it. -My Analysis: Since fruit is healthy everyone should benefit from its health and eat it. -My Counter-Arg: Not everyone can eat fruit. For example, someone who only eats meat, someone whose body rejects fruits, etc.

Bogus Claims -Def: A claim that can be considered fake, whenever persuaders promise more than they prove or deliver. Miller, Robert Keith. The Informed Argument: A Multidisciplinary Reader and Guide. 5th ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1986. Print -Ex: "Made with 100% natural and 100% pure ingredients, Pure Garcinia Cambogia gives you fast and effective results even WITHOUT DIET nor EXERCISE!!" "Making you lose weight in 3 days, Pure Garcinia Camogia is the perfect solution to a healthier and slimmer body." "Home." Dr Oz Garcinia Cambogia Garcinia for Weight Loss. Web. 25 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: This advertisement for a weight loss supplement claims that it, "Is made with 100% natural and 100% pure ingredients. " This commits the fallacy because it doesn't give evidence to support the huge promise of fully natural and pure ingredients. The use of words such as " natural, pure, health, and slimmer, present positive connotations so the audience won't notice the lack of backed up evidence for these said claims.

-Counter-Arg: One could argue that in order for this claim to be true, there would need to be provided evidence of the making of this supplement to believe that it is, in fact, made of "100% pure ingredients." Also there is no provided evidence that this supplement helped someone lose weight in 3 days time, therefore it is not a very credible ad for the supplement. -My Ex: Come down now and buy the most amazing bed in the whole world. Everyone will love it. -My Analysis: It commits the fallacy because the advertisement does not provide evidence on how it is the most amazing bed all the advertisement does is hook the viewer. -My Counter-Arg: Not everyone may love the bed which means their information is incorrect.

Ad Hominem -Def: An Ad Hominem is a general category of fallacies in which a claim or argument is rejected on the basis of some irrelevant fact about the author of or the person presenting the claim or argument. Labossiere, Michael C., Dr. "Fallacy: Ad Hominem." Fallacy: Ad Hominem. Nizkor, 1995. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. -Ex: Bill: "I believe that abortion is morally wrong." Dave: "Of course you would say that, you're a priest." Bill: "What about the arguments I gave to support my position?" Dave: "Those don't count. Like I said, you're a priest, so you have to say that abortion is wrong. Further, you are just a lackey to the Pope, so I can't believe what you say." Labossiere, Michael C., Dr. "Fallacy: Ad Hominem." Fallacy: Ad Hominem. Nizkor, 1995. Web. 7 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: In the quote Bill, the priest, states that he is against abortion. Which is followed up with Dave claiming that because Bill is a priest he would have to believe that abortions are bad because of his religion, no matter of his personal opinions not consisting of religion. Then, Dave goes on to attack Bill by stating that he is a lackey to the pope, and can't believe anything he says.

-Counter-Arg: One could state that you don't know the origins of the priests beliefs against abortions, whether they are of religious beliefs or not. -My Ex: Dave:I don't like school. Joe: Of course you don't, you're a student. -My Analysis: Joe believes that just because Dave is a student he doesn't like school -My Counter-Arg: Just because Dave is a student doesn't mean that's the only reason he hates school. Other people that aren't students could also hate school.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc(AKA: Post Hoc or False Cause) -Def: A fallacy in which one event is said to be the cause of a later event simply because it occurred earlier. Nordquist, Richard. "Post Hoc - Definition and Examples of the Logical Fallacy." N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015. -Ex: "I can't help but think that you are the cause of this problem; we never had any problem with the furnace until you moved into the apartment. "Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. -Analysis: In the example, a person who's living in an apartment is complaining that ever since the new guy showed up the furnace has been broken. The event that occurred first is the new tenant, the event that occurred later is the broken furnace.

-Counter-Arg: Simply because the furnace broke after the new tenant moved in does not mean that the new tenant broke the furnace. The furnace could of broken because of the age of the furnace, the age of the building, the mechanics of the furnace itself, etc. -My Ex: Ever since you came to this school my grades have been going down. Therefore, you are making my grades go down. -My Analysis: When the new person came to school the speaker started to get low grades and believed it was because of the new person. -My Counter-Arg: Just because the showed up doesn't mean he did it. It could have been caused by harder tests and work.

Loaded Terms -Def: Loaded or emotive terms used to attach value or moral goodness to believing the proposition. Bennett, Bo. "Logically Fallacious," Home. Archieboy Holdings, LLC. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Students who want to succeed in life will do their homework each and every night. Bennett, Bo. "Logically Fallacious," Home. Archieboy Holdings, LLC. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: The assertion is that students who don't do their homework every night don't want to succeed in life which is bad reasoning.

-Counter-Arg: Students can still ant to succeed in life and not do homework each and every night. The students may have not done the homework because they did not understand it or had competing interests. -My Ex: People who want to make a lot of money need to work every second of their life. -My Analysis: People who work every second will make a lot of money which is their reward. -My Counter-Arg: People that work every 2 seconds of their life may still make the same amount of money and therefore don't need to work every second.

Appealing to Prejudice -Def: Loaded or emotive terms are sued to attach value or moral goodness to the proposition. Bennett, Bo. "Prejudicial Language." Prejudicial Language. Archieboy Holdings, LLC, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015. -Ex: A reasonable person would agree that our income tax is too low. Bennett, Bo. "Prejudicial Language." Prejudicial Language. Archieboy Holdings, LLC, n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: The writer/ speaker wants his audience to also agree that the income tax is too low. By stating that a "reasonable person" would agree that it is too low, the writer/ speaker creates a desirable category for the audience members to put themselves into. Now, if reasonable people would agree, and the audience are reasonable people, then the audience agrees as well.

-Counter-Arg: The argument is flawed because in order to become a reasonable person, one does not need to agree that the income tax is too lo.w Also, not all reasonable people would agree that the income tax is too low. You can not determine to what extent someone is reasonable solely based on their opinion over the income tax. -My Ex: A good person would give money to me. -My Analysis: The speaker feels that to classify someone as a good person they would need to give money to him. -My Counter-Arg: The speaker himself is not a good person by tricking people into giving him money.

Non Sequitur -Def: When what is presented as evidence or reason is irrelevant or adds very little support to the conclusion. Bennett, Bo. "Non Sequitur." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 17 March 2016 -Ex: People like to walk on the beach. Beaches have sand. Therefore, people should have sand floor in their homes. Bennett, Bo. "Non Sequitur." Logically Fallacious. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 17 March 2016 -Analysis: The conclusion is not supported by the evidence because they are two separate concepts. Walking on the beach is irrelevant in deciding if someone would like sand floors in their home.

-Counter-Arg: The fact that people want to walk on the beach does not mean that they want sand in their homes. -My Ex: People like the color red, red symbolizes communism. Therefore, people are communist. -My Analysis: Because red symbolizes communism, people who like it must be communist. -My Counter-Arg: People could just like the color red because of the color not because it symbolizes communism.

Bandwagon (AKA Ad Populum) -Def: A person will believe something because everyone else has and they are afraid of being rejected because they don't believe in the same thing. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Bandwagon Fallacy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. -Ex: Bill: "I like classical music and I think it is of higher quality than most modern music." Jill: "That stuff is for old people." Dave: "Yeah, only real woosies listen to that crap. Besides, Anthrax rules! It Rules!" Bill: "Well, I don't really like it that much. Anthrax is much better." "Fallacy: Bandwagon." Fallacy: Bandwagon. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: Bill says that he likes classical music more that modern music, but his friends make him feel bad for liking classical music. Bill then changes his opinion because he is afraid of being rejected by his friends.

-Counter-Arg: The idea that Anthrax is better than classical music is an opinion that Bill's two friends have, but that doesn't mean that everyone else in the world thinks that classical music is for woosies. Just because there is a popular belief doesn't mean that those who don't share that belief are wrong either. -My Ex: Dave: School is the worst! Joe: Yeah and so is breaking your leg! Dave: Oh yeah, breaking your leg is much worse. -My Analysis: Dave originally believes that school is the worst, but when Joe comes out with another opinion Dave decides to change his mind and match Joe. -My Counter-Arg: Both Dave and Joe have opinions on what the worst thing is, but since they are opinions Dave shouldn't have to change his mind about the matter.

False Analogy -Def: When an analogy is used to prove or disprove an argument, but the analogy is to dissimilar to be effective. Bennett, Bo. "Weak Analogy" Weak Analogy. Archieboy Holdings, LLC. n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2015 -Ex: Employees are like nails. Just as nails must be hit in the head in order to make them work, so much employees. "The Logical Fallacies: False Analogy." The Logical Fallacies False Analogy. N.p. n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2015 -Analysis: It compares how nails and employees work. The way in which a nail work is implied to the employees. (Employees would be dead.)

-Counter-Arg: The only link between employees and nails are that they work. You can't conclude that because they both work in different ways. -My Ex: Homework is just like firewood. Firewood is burned for fire, so homework should be too. -My Analysis: Because firewood is used to make a fire, and the speaker is comparing firewood and homework he thinks he should use homework to make a fire. -My Counter-Arg: Homework and homework are the same in that they come from the same thing, but they are not the same when it comes to uses.

Equivocation/Equivoc Ation -Def: Using an ambiguous term in more than one sense, this making an argument misleading "Equivocation." Equivocation. N.o., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015 -Ex: The priest told me I should have faith. I have faith that my son will do well in school this year. Therefore, the priest should be happy with me. "Equivocation." Equivocation. N.o., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015 -Analysis: The term "faith" used by the priest, was in the religious sense of believe in God without sufficient evidence, which is different from having "faith" in your son in which years of good past performance leads to the "faith" you might have in your son.

-Counter-Arg: The priest would have to explain that he meant a religious faith, for this example, the priest would be happy if the woman prayed. -My Ex: My laptop is better than my computer. Nothing is better than my computer. My laptop is better than nothing. -My Analysis: Since nothing is better than the speaker's computer than his laptop is better than nothing. Even though it is better than his computer. -My Counter-Arg: The speaker uses the word nothing in the way that everything is better than his computer. And that, his laptop is 1 of those things.

Appealing to Pity -Def: The attempt to distract from the truth of the conclusion by the use of pity Bennet, Bo. "Appeal to Pity." Appeal to Pity. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. -Ex: I really deserver an "A" on this paper, professor. Not only did I study during my grandmother's funeral, I also passed up the heart transplant surgery, even though that was the first matching donor in 3 years. Bennet, Bo. "Appeal to Pity." Appeal to Pity. Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2015. -Analysis:The student, having written a bad essay thinks she deserves an A because of the hardships she has endured. She is trying to get her professor to feel pity on her, and in turn, give her an A.

-Counter-Arg: The student, having written a bad essay thinks she deserves an A because of the hardships she had endured. She is trying to get her professor to feel pit on her, and in turn, give her an A. -My Ex: Can you please rehire me? I missed all of those days at work because my grandmother died. -My Analysis: The employee was fired for missing a lot of days of work without providing a valid reason and when the employee asked to be rehired he made up an excuse to gain pity. -My Counter-Arg: The employee really wants his job back and so he wants his boss to feel pity on him. However, this is not a good thing to do because he is lying to his boss.

Jumping to Conclusions -Def: Drawing a conclusion without taking the needed time to reason through the argument. Bennett,Bo. "Jumping to Conclusion." Jumping to Conclusions. Archieboy Holdings, LLV, 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2015 -Ex: The new home looks great! Let's buy it! Bennett,Bo. "Jumping to Conclusion." Jumping to Conclusions. Archieboy Holdings, LLV, 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2015 -Analysis: The assumption in this example is that this was a snap decision based on emotion, and the many factors one should consider when making a decision this grand were ignored. In short, reasoning was abandoned.

-Counter-Arg: What about the cost of the house being far above our price range? There would need to be some remodeling which would also cost us more money. It is also too far away from work and that drive would be dreadful everyday. It's on a busy street as well. -My Ex: (After watching a commercial) I'm gonna go get that right now! -My Analysis: The person watches a commercial on some sort of toy or device and immediately decides to go and buy it. -My Counter-Arg: The person didn't look into it and the item could of been overpriced or had some really bad side affect.

Ignoring the Question -Def: Changing the subject because the speaker does not want to answer the question. "Argument: Logical Fallacies & Propaganda." Argument: Logical Fallacies & Propaganda. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. -Ex: During a pass conference, a political candidate is asked a pointed, specific question about a potentially illegal fund-raising activity. Instead of answering the allegations, the candidate gives a rousing speech thanking all of his financial supporters. The speech was eloquent and moving, but shifted the focus from the issue at hand. "Argument: Logical Fallacies & Propaganda." Argument: Logical Fallacies & Propaganda. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. -Analysis: The political candidate cannot answer the question he has been asked without making himself look bad. He thanks his supporters to shift the focus away from his illegal fund-raising. He commits the fallacy by ignoring the question at hand and discussing something unrelated.

-Counter-Arg: When the candidate thanks his supporters, he does not answer the question of whether his fund raising is illegal or not. -My Ex: When the teacher was asked what the test was on. He said to the students to make sure they got their homework done. -My Analysis: The teacher avoids the question about the test and changes the topic to homework and tells the students to make sure they do it. -My Counter-Arg: The teacher may not of heard the question or simply hasn't made the question yet and doesn't want to bother with questions about it.

Broken Window -Def: The illusion that destruction and money spent in recovery from destruction, is a net-benefit to society. A broader application of this fallacy is the general tendency to overlook opportunity costs, or that which is unseen, either in a financial sense or other. Bennett, Bo. "Broken Window Fallacy." Broken Window Fallacy. Copyright 2013, Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Ex:Dad, I actually did America a favor by crashing your car. Now, some auto shop will have more work, their employees will make more money, those employees will spend their money, and who knows, they might just come to your store and buy some of your products! Bennett, Bo. "Broken Window Fallacy." Broken Window Fallacy. Copyright 2013, Archieboy Holdings, LLC., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. -Analysis:This represents the fallacy because the boy who crashed his dad's car says that this is positive because this will cause the car repair store to make money and now that the employees have more money, they will go to his dad's store and spend it. He turned the bad event of crashing his dad's car into a good thing which is his dad making more money.

-Counter-Arg: You could argue that the employees are most likely not going to the dad's store after they receive their money so now the dad is left with a crashed car and the need to spend his money on fixing his car. Also, if the car repairmen did go to the dad's store, the repair cost would probably exceed any income they'd receive from the repairmen so the dad is still losing money. -My Ex: -My Analysis: -My Counter-Arg:

Gambler's Fallacy -Def: The assumption that short-term deviations from probability will be corrected in the short-term. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Gamblers Fallacy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015. -Ex:-There is a 50% chance of tossing a coin and getting a tails.-This coin has landed heads-up five times in a row. Therefore:-It should land tails-up next time it is tossed. "Logical Fallacies." Logical Fallacies Gamblers Fallacy Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2015. -Analysis:This shows Gambler's fallacy because it is assumed that the coin will be tails after getting five heads due to the belief that the mathematical probability should be corrected in the short term. If we are tossing the coin six times, the trend has already broken probability twice making the "Mathematical Probability Scale" unbalanced.

-Counter-Arg:This assumption is incorrect because flipping a coin is an independent event, not dependent on any previous outcomes. You could flip the coin 100 times and get heads every time but that does not make the probability of flipping a tails any greater than 50/50. -My Ex: Because I pulled a red marble out of this bag 6 times in a row I will pull out a blue marble the next time. -My Analysis: The speaker believes that since the event occurred 6 times in a row already that the event will be different the next. -My Counter-Arg: The bag may be filled with only red marbles and so the speaker's theory would be wrong.