Definitions

Question 1

False cause fallacy

Answer 1

Attributing a false cause-and-effect relationship between two events.

Just because 2 things happen at same time doesn’t mean one caused the other. Could be coincidence, or 3rd thing in place.

Question 2

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 2

(false cause) fallacy assuming event A caused event B solely on the basis that B came after A

Question 3

Cum hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 3

(false cause) fallacy assuming event A caused event B solely on the basis that the 2 events occur together.

Question 4

Begging the question

Answer 4

Arbitrarily assuming what one is attempting to prove as part of the proof.

Question 5

Virtuous circle

Answer 5

Argument defining an ultimate standard with unavoidable circularity due to the essential nature of the claim. Is self-consistent and non-arbitrary.

Question 6

Vicious circle

Answer 6

Fallacious circular reasoning, begging the question.

Question 7

Question-begging epithet

Answer 7

Using biased, emotional language to persuade people rather than logic

Question 8

The complex question

Answer 8

Attempting to persuade by asking a loaded (2 part) question

Question 9

Fallacy of Bifurcation

Answer 9

Claiming there are only two options, when there is a third option(or more)

Question 10

The no true Scotsman fallacy

Answer 10

Using a biased definition (like adding “real” or “true”) not found in a dictionary to protect a claim.

Question 11

Special pleading

Answer 11

Exempting yourself from a standard you expect others to follow

Question 12

False analogy (or weak analogy)

Answer 12

Analogies that aren’t relevant to the topic under discussion.

Question 13

Slippery slope fallacy

Answer 13

Arguing that a given action will set off a chain reaction leading to a particular result.

Question 14

Ad hominem

Answer 14

Directing an argument against the person making the claim rather than the claim itself.

Question 15

Circumstantial ad hominem

Answer 15

Arguing that a person’s argument is wrong because of the person’s circumstances, biases, or motivation.

Question 16

Abusive ad hominem

Answer 16

Arguing that a person’s argument is wrong by attacking the person’s character.

Question 17

Faulty appeal to authority

Answer 17

Claiming that a proposition or an argument must be correct because a fallible person believes it. Often the appeal is to an expert but outside his area of expertise, or who disagrees with others in the same field.

Question 18

Strawman Fallacy

Answer 18

Misrepresenting an opponent’s position and proceeding to refute the misrepresentation rather than what the opponent actually claimed.

Question 19

Appeal to force/fear

Answer 19

Arguing for a position on the basis that negative consequences will follow if a person does not accept the position.

Question 20

Appeal to emotion

Answer 20

Fallacy of attempting to persuade people by stirring powerful emotions rather than making a logical case.

Question 21

Appeal to pity

Answer 21

Persuading people to accept a position by generating sympathy for those who hold the position.

Question 22

Appeal to ignorance

Answer 22

Fallacy of appealing to the unknown; specifically when a person argues that a claim is probably true simply because it has never been proven false.

Question 23

Moralistic fallacy

Answer 23

Asserting that because something should (morally) be a particular way, it is that particular way.

Question 24

Naturalistic fallacy

Answer 24

Arguing that since something is a particular way, it is morally acceptable for it to be that way.

Question 25

Appeal to consequences

Answer 25

Arguing that something must be true because it is desirable, or that something must be false because it is undesirable.

Question 26

Genetic fallacy

Answer 26

The error of criticizing or dismissing an argument due to its source.

Question 27

Tu quoque fallacy

Answer 27

Attempting to refute an argument by pointing out that the person making the argument is not behaving consistently with the conclusion of the argument.

Question 28

Fallacy of irrelevant thesis

Answer 28

Proving a point, but not the point at issue.

Question 29

Appeal to majority

Answer 29

Arguing that something must be true because a majority believes it. This is a specific type of the faulty appeal to authority.

Question 30

Appeal to hypocrisy

Answer 30

The fallacy of dismissing an argument because the conclusion is inconsistent with the behavior of the argument. The tu quoque fallacy.