logical fallacy key Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is a Fallacy?
A fallacy is an error in reasoning, a flaw in logic.
What are Inductive fallacies?
Inductive fallacies arise when an arguer leaps to a conclusion on the basis of insufficient or wrong evidence.
What are Deductive fallacies?
Deductive fallacies arise when an arguer fails to follow the logic of a series of statements.
What is Hasty Generalization?
In the hasty generalization fallacy, the arguer draws conclusions based on insufficient evidence.
Many prejudices and superstitions are the results of hasty generalizations.
What is Faulty Use of Authority?
In this fallacy, the arguer cites an authority to back up his/her argument when the authority is not really much of an authority or there is significant difference of opinion among authorities on the subject.
What is Post Hoc?
In this fallacy, the arguer claims that just because one event follows another event, the first event must have caused the second.
Originally “post hoc, ergo propter hoc” (“after this, therefore because of this”).
What is False Analogy?
In this fallacy, the arguer makes an analogy without proving the connection to the two things being compared.
What is Ad Hominem?
An ad hominem fallacy occurs when an arguer attacks the person on the other side of the argument rather than his or her ideas.
What is False Dilemma / Black-White?
In this fallacy, the arguer insists that only two alternatives exist, even though there may be other possibilities in the situation.
What is Slippery Slope?
In this fallacy, the arguer claims that taking a first step will lead inevitably to a second, usually undesirable step.
This is only a fallacy if the arguer does not provide evidence that this will happen.
What is Begging the Question?
In this fallacy, the arguer makes a statement that assumes that the very question being argued has already been proved.
Extreme examples of this fallacy are called circular reasoning.
What is Straw Man?
In this fallacy, the arguer attacks a view similar to, but not the same as, the one his or her opponent holds.
What is Two Wrongs Make a Right?
In this fallacy, the arguer diverts attention from his or her own flaws by attacking the flaws of his or her opponent.
What is Non Sequitur?
In this fallacy, the arguer makes an argument that doesn’t have anything to do with the subject under discussion.
From the Latin for “it does not follow.”
What is Ad Populum?
In this fallacy, the arguer makes an appeal to the prejudices of the people.
One common form of ad populum is an appeal to patriotism (without evidence to support the claim).
What is Appeal to Tradition?
In this fallacy, the arguer assumes that what has existed for a long time should continue to exist simply because it is a tradition.
What are Faulty Emotional Appeals?
In this fallacy, the arguer appeals to the emotions of the audience without legitimate cause.
These appeals are irrelevant to the argument, draw attention away from the issues, or conceal another purpose.
