Informal Fallacies Flashcards
(12 cards)
Post Hoc, Ergo prompter hoc
(also ‘casual’ fallacy)
Assuming a casual (cause and effect) relationship exists when there is merely correlation. (3 variations)
1. x preceded (before) y -> x caused y
2. x and y coexist -> x caused y
3. x caused y -> the absence of x will mean no y
Ad hominem
Attacking a person or insulting them rather than their argument
Straw man
Intentionally misrepresenting someone’s argument so that its easier to attack (twisting words/ putting words in their mouth)
False Dilemma
Falsely representing 2 choices as if they are the only choices available
Begging the question
Circular reasoning or assuming the truth of the conclusion
Ad populum
When we give praise or blame to an argument or idea simply because it accords with the majority/popular view
Ad personam
Judging an argument according to how we feel about it (e.g feeling uncomfortable with the idea of a argument or agreeing to it) rather than judging it based off its merits
Genetic fallacy
Judging the accuracy or credibility of a claim according to its ORIGIN (a conclusion is reached regarding somethings present nature from premises about its origin
Appeal to Law
When following the law is assumed to be morally correct thing to do, without justification, or when breaking the law is assumed to be the morally wrong thing to do, without justification.
forms:
x is illegal, therefore x is immoral
y is legal, therefore y is moral
Naturalistic
An arguer equates what is natural to what is good or right and what is unnatural to bad or wrong (can be the other way round)
Fallacy of equivocation
Misuse/misrepresentation the meaning of words (making context change)
Fallacy of composition
Assuming + generalising info/groups of people
