Fallacies Flashcards
Post hoc fallacy
A occurred, then B occured - therefore A caused B
Appeal to Tradition
Believing that something is right/true because it is part of a tradition that is revered or respected, especially when there is a more important issue at risk
Faulty analogy
Assuming that because two things are alike in one trivial respect, that they must be alike in some other, more important, respect
Appeal to popular opinion
Many people believe it, so it must be true
Two-wrongs fallacy
Rejecting criticism of erroneous belief or improper behaviour because others have erred or behaved improperly
Abusive ad hominem
Attacking someone in an abusive way to ignore/discredit their argument - “name calling”
False Alternatives
Promoting your weak point of view, by presenting it alongside an even weaker view, as if they are the only possibilities - when in reality there are better possibilities that have not been mentioned
Wishful thinking
“I really want it to be true, so it must be true”
Straw man fallacy
Misrepresenting an opponent’s position or argument in order to make it sound weak or foolish, and therefore easier to attack
Arguing from ignorance
“You can’t prove me wrong, so I’m right”
Appeal to irrelevant authority
Attempting to support a claim by appealing to the judgement of someone who lacks appropriate expertise or unidentified authority who is likely to be biased
Fallacy of the mean
Assuming that a moderate or middle view between two extremes must be the best/right one simply because it is the middle view
