Logical Fallacies

Circular reasoning

A book is offensive only if it contains offensive material.

False dilemma

America: love it or leave it.

Oversimplification

Assuming there is only one, simple cause of an outcome when in reality there may be several complex contributors. •A oversimplification ignores the complexities, variations, and exceptions relevant to an issue. •the information you are given is way too simple. Someone avoided a bunch of other important factors.

Wrong direction

Cause and effect are reversed. The writer confuses the cause for the effect and the effect for the cause.

Wrong direction

Crutches are dangerous because everyone who uses them has an injured leg.

False dilemma

Either we support the death penalty or we allow crime to run rampant

Judgemental language

Fluoridation is opposed by a crackpot, anti-scientific minority.

Judgemental language

Fluorine is the most dangerous toxic chemical on earth; it is so powerful in its corrosive effect that it is used to etch glass. The idea of putting that sort of chemical into our drinking water is just insane.

Jumping into conclusions

Fred, the Australian, stole my wallet. Thus, all Australians are thieves.

False dilemma

If you can't beat them, join them.

False dilemma

If you don't believe in the absolute moral values stated in the Bible, then you are evil.

Circular logic

Illiteracy is commonly caused by a lack of reading skills.

Faulty cause and effect

Immigration to California from Mexico increased. Soon after, the welfare rolls increased. Therefore, the increased immigration caused the increase in welfare rolls.

Faulty cause and effect

Lack of connection between two consecutive events, but one event is nevertheless presented as the cause for the other. •Just because one event follows another does not mean that the first event caused the second. •In this form of logical fallacy, one event usually is completely unrelated to the other event. •Superstitions are often a form of faulty cause and effect.

Jumping into conclusions

My brother lied. My boyfriend lied. In fact, all boys lie.

False dilemma

Only two options are given when many choices exist. This is also known as an either/or fallacy.

Rare/ extreme event

People should not go to the movies. A bad man entered one movie theater last summer and shot dozens of people.

Oversimplification

Supercop had the highest ratings of any television series because the network advertised heavily for the show.

Wrong direction

The majority of people in Australia die in hospitals, so stay out of hospitals.

Jumping to conclusions

To judge or decide something without having all the facts; to make a conclusion based on too little evidence; to reach unwarranted conclusions.

Oversimplification

Tourism in this city started to decline right after Mayor Scott was elected. To save our tourist industry, let's replace her now!

Judgemental language

Using insulting language to influence the recipient's judgment (negative/insulting statements)

Rare/ extreme event

Using rare, extreme examples to prove a point. This form of logical fallacy attempts to make the rare or extreme event seem more likely than it actually is. •The danger of using this logic is that rare and extreme examples might be seen by the audience as being highly unlikely and therefore not worthy of concern. Thus, the reader ignores the example as well the argument behind it.

Bandwagon fallacy

We should abolish the death penalty. Most people I know have stated their opposition to it.

Appeal to emotion

We went to the grocery store to buy ingredients for a family meal. All of our cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles came. We had the most delicious meal I've ever eaten. Then the whole family played games. I won two rounds of Monopoly. It was an amazing afternoon. If you shop at Publix, you'll have this kind of family time, too.

Appeal to emotion

•A type of argument that attempts to arouse the emotions of its audience in order to gain acceptance of its conclusion. Emotions, however, are not proof.

Bandwagon fallacy

•Many people think something, so it must be good/true. •Remember, just because a majority or large number of people believe in/do something, is not a reason for anyone else to do this. •The majority opinion is not always correct. There was a time when everyone believed the world was flat, and a more recent time when the majority condoned slavery.

Circular reasoning/ logic

•an attempt to support a statement by simply repeating the statement in different or stronger terms. In this fallacy, the reason given is nothing more than a restatement of the conclusion that poses as the reason for the conclusion.