CH. 9FALLACIOUS COUNTERARGUMENTS &
OTHER FALLACIES IN
WRITING
PHILOSOPHY
FALLACIOUS
COUNTERARGUMENTS
AD HOMINEM ABUSIVE
(PERSONAL ATTACK AD HOMINEM)
Pointing out irrelevant
characteristics of the
person rather than
focusing on the actual
argument
Example
Emperor Domitian: Epictetus is not only a
religious slave, but he is ugly too. Therefore,
his philosophy is garbage.
AD HOMINEM CIRCUMSTANTIAL
Example
Using someone’s
personal
circumstances,
biases, or vested
interests when
opposing the
other person’s
argument
Aristotle: You are
only saying that
because you are a
woman, so you are
wrong.
Pythias: I think we
should get more
women in
philosophy.
AD HOMINEM TU QUOQUE
(INCONSISTENCY AD HOMINEM)
Example
Opposing an
argument by pointing
out a person’s
hypocritical actions
My mom tells me not
to experiment with
drugs, but she
experimented with
drugs when she was
my age.
AD HOMINEM POISONING THE WELL
Example
Personally attacking
people even before
they present an
argument
At the beginning of
the debate, one
arguer says of the
other:
My opponent has a
record of lying. Don’t
believe a word he is
about to say.
STRAW MAN
Example
Ignoring the
argument at hand
by substituting it
with a distorted
and exaggerated
view
Dorothy: Marijuana
should be legalized.
Scarecrow: Marijuana
is a drug. We should
not legalize drugs.
Drugs are dangerous
and if we legalize it
children will be doing
drugs.
OTHER FALLACIES
IN WRITING
Example
RED HERRING
Distracting from the
main issue at hand by
introducing irrelevant
information
Husband:
I can’t believe
you’ve spent
all our savings!
Wife:
Hurry up and
get ready. We
have a dinner
to attend!
NON SEQUITUR
Drawing a conclusion that does not
follow with the premise or evidence
Example
Studies show that women’s
brains are smaller than men’s.
So, they clearly are not as smart
as men.