Notes, logical fallacies

Notes, Logical Fallacies


1. Generalizations; not enough evidence.
Examples include stereotypes: Men care about sports more than women.

2. Non sequitur; one thought does not logically follow another.
Example: Mary loves to eat so she will be a good chef.

3. False analogy; this is not really like that…or is it?
Example: If we can put humans on the moon, we should be able to find a cure for the common cold.

4. Either/or; but sometimes there are other possibilities.
Example: To win the war against drugs we should either turn it over to the army or legalize drugs.

5. False cause; an assumption that because B follows A, that A causes B.
Example: Since the Republicans (Democrats) took over Congress, the economy has improved.

6. Circular reasoning or begging the question; argument restates the same thing, rather than present real evidence.
Example: My client is an honest man so he does not steal. Or: I am an A student so the teacher can’t give me a C.

7. Bandwagon appeal.
Example: If Billy jumps off the cliff, we should too.

8. Attack on the person, not the idea.
Example: Anyone who believes that is an idiot.

9. Red herring; focuses on irrelevant issue to distract from real issue
Example: He can’t be a good player because he wears those goofy shoes.

10. Biased language.
Example: The politician is inept because he’s a bleeding heart liberal.