Logical Faliciies Flashcards
Strawman
Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.
Slippery Slope
Asserting that if we allow A to happen, then Z will consequently happen too, therefore A should not happen.
Special Pleading
Moving the goalposts or making up exceptions when a claim is shown to be false.
Black-or-white
Where two alternative states are presented as the only possibilities, when in fact more possibilities exist.
False Cause
Presuming that a real or perceived relationship between things means that one is the cause of the other.
Ad Hominem
Attacking your opponent’s character or personal traits in an attempt to undermine their argument.
Bandwagon
Appealing to popularity or the fact that many people do something as an attempted form of validation.
Begging the Question
A circular argument in which the conclusion is included in the premise.
Appeal to Authority
Saying that because an authority thinks something, it must therefore be true.
Appeal to nature
Making the argument that because something is ‘natural’ it is therefore valid, justified, inevitable, good, or ideal.
Composition/division
Assuming that what’s true about one part of something has to be applied to all, or other, parts of it.
Anecdotal
Using personal experience or an isolated example instead of a valid argument, especially to dismiss statistics.
Appeal to Emotion
Manipulating an emotional response in place of a valid or compelling argument.
Tu Quoque
Avoiding having to engage with criticism by turning it back on the accuser – answering criticism with criticism.
Burden of Proof
Saying that the burden of proof lies not with the person making the claim, but with someone else to disprove.
