Fallacies

 

What's a fallacy?

Fallacies are errors in reasoning that make arguments invalid, an attempt to manipulate readers by appealing to emotions and incorrect logic. Even though fallacies are extremely common, most readers/speakers don't take the time--or even realize--that the statements they read/hear are unfounded and detract from the issue at hand (many readers/speakers get caught up in the heat of the debate). Many fallacious arguments exist, but here are a few of the most common ones.

(Note: If you examine your local newspaper carefully, especially the editorial section, you'll discover many writers base their arguments on fallacies.)

Here are some of the most common fallacies:

1. Ad hominem: Attacking the arguer rather than the argument (in essence, name calling).
   Example: Environmentalists are bunch of tree-hugging freaks who don't care about the economy.

2. Begging the question: A kind of circular reasoning that offers the statement as proof of evidence, or uses a shared assumption to stand for proof.
   Example: Family members of an alcoholic should not be permitted to come to any of the AA meetings to offer support because AA meetings should be for alcoholics only.

3. Bandwagon: Implying that something is right because "everyone" does it.
   Example: "Because most other companies don't offer gay employees insurance coverage for their partners, our company policy should be the same."

4. Appeal to false authority: Citing a person as an authority figure who has no expertise on the subject.
   Example: A television doctor advertising real medicine (I'm not a doctor, but I play one on t.v.")

5. Appeal to emotion: An argument based on sympathy rather than intelligent agreement.
   Example: "Once you buy this sports car, you'll never want to drive anything else."

6. Either/or: Reducing of alternatives to only two possible choices.
   Example: America: Love it or leave it.

7. Provincialism: Assuming what is familiar and comfortable is "right."
   Example: "A woman wouldn't make a good mayor for our town because we've never had one before."

8. Hasty generalization: Generalizing one situation to fit all situations. (Archie Bunker would be guilty of this one a lot!)
   Examples: "All the Irish drink too much." "All Jewish people are cheap."

9. Faulty cause-and-effect reasoning (also referred to as post hoc): Thinking that since one event follows another, the first is the cause of the second.
   Example: Since President Clinton took office, unemployment of minorities has decreased by 5 percent. President Clinton should be commended for reducing the unemployment rate.

10. Slippery slope: Failing to see that a first step does not necessarily lead to other steps.
    Example: If we increase taxes this year, Congress will want to increase taxes every year.

11. Guilt by association: Judging people by their associates or interests.
    Example: "Mary bought a Harley-Davidson. She must be up to no good."

12. Ambiguity: Using misleading or vague words or phrases to persuade.
    Example: "I was going a little over the speed limit. Why, is there a problem officer?"

 

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last updated on 3/30/99