If a language provides a label for a
complex concept, that could make it
easier to think about the concept,
because the mind can handle it as a
single package when juggling a set of
ideas, rather than having to keep
each of its components in the air
separately. It can also give a concept
an additional label in long-term
memory, making it more easily
retrievable.
Name
that
Fallacy
Advanced Composition:
Critical Reasoning & Writing
1.
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FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
attacking the person
rather than the
argument or the
issue
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
inferring what is true of
the whole must be true of
its constituents (parts), in
other words, to argue
form the property of a
group to a property of a
member
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
a conclusion is drawn
about a whole based on
the feature/s of its part
when, in fact, no
justification is provided for
the inference
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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14.
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22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
individual offered as
evidence, solely based
on reputation
OR
individual offered as
expert is not an expert
on the issue in dispute
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
shifts the meaning of
a word or phrase in a
single argument
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
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20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
a broad claim based
on too small a
sample size (usually
what lies behind a
stereotype)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
merely a descriptive
association and
offers no proof of the
connection between
two things being
compared
1.
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3.
4.
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6.
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14.
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20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
misleading
interpretation of
data, statistics, or
other factual
information
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
groups more than one
question in the form of a
single question and
presupposes something
that has not been proven
or accepted by all the
people involved
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
a statement that assumes
that the very question
being argued has already
been proved—in other
words, the conclusion of
the argument is hidden
among its assumption
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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11.
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
attempt to shift attention
from the merits of the
argument—validity of
reasoning, truth of
claims—to source or
origin of argument
deflecting attention from
the real issue
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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11.
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13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
trying to persuade people
to agree with you by
threatening them with
painful consequences—
the violence need not be
physical
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
generalizations that
exaggerate and
therefore simplify the
truth
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
reframe opponent’s position
to make it easier to
attack—the newly framed
position may be a view
similar to but not the same
as the one your opponent
holds (a diversionary tactic)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
argues a situation or a
person is an exception
to the rule based on
one or more irrelevant
characteristics that do
not define an
exception—leads to
unmerited advantages
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
the arguer presents and
either/or situation,
suggesting that only two
alternatives exist—the
simplification of a complex
problem
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
irrelevant topic is
presented in order to
divert attention from
the original issue
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
argues for or against a
proposition on the basis
of lack of evidence for
it—in other words,
makes an assertion
based on “what we do
not know”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
term or phrase is used to
define something, but then
there are so many
qualifications to the definition
that they render the original
term or phrase meaningless
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
arguer assumes that
what has existed for a
long time and therefore
become tradition should
continue to exist
because it is a tradition
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
argues for a claim
based on irrelevant
appeal to popularity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
defend or attack a position
or another from criticism by
turning the critique back
against the opponent or
accuser—remember: the
merit of a person’s
argument has nothing to do
with the person’s character
or behavior
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FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
a simplistic and
improbably (sometimes
horrible) prediction
based on series of
steps—this fallacy
ignores the complexity of
developments in any long
chain of events
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FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
because one event
follows another event,
the first event must be
the cause of the
second—false cause
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FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
arguing against a claim
by pointing out that its
origin (genesis/historic
origins) is tainted or that
it was invented by
someone deserving our
contempt
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25.
26.
FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
Non Sequitur “does not follow”
FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
Distorting the Facts
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc or Doubtful Cause
Many Questions or Loaded Question
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope / Parade of Horrors
False Analogy
Straw Man
Special Pleading
Begging the Question
False Dichotomy or False Dilemma
Oversimplification
Red Herring
FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
Tu Quoque or “You too”
Genetic Fallacy
Poisoning the well
Appeal to Ignorance
Ad Hominem
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Fear
Death by a Thousand Qualifications
NOT IN TEXTBOOK
Appeal to Tradition
Ad Populum
Definition:
the claim (conclusion)
does not follow the
premises (reasons)
Tip:
The difference between post hoc (one of
presumption) and non sequitur fallacies (one of
ambiguity) is that, whereas the post hoc
fallacy is due to lack of causal connection,
in the non sequitur fallacy the error is due
to lack of logical connection.
Another Tip
Fallacy of Composition makes a false claim on the
WHOLE based on a part.
Think: COMPOSITION = WHOLE
whereas
Fallacy of Division makes a false claim about a
PART based on the whole.
Think: DIVISION = PART
Still Another Tip:
Fallacies Ad Populum can take three additional forms,
and you often see them in advertisements:
1. Bandwagon Appeal
2. Patriotic Appeal
3. Snob Appeal
And the Tips Keep Coming!
While both are fallacies of Relevance, the Genetic Fallacy says
that something is true or untrue because of its source, instead of
merit. It does not attack person directly, but instead attacks
original source (often historical) of the argument.
Poisoning the Well is more of a pre-emptive strike, when
someone wants to discredit a person and ignore what s/he is
about to argue. Discrediting what a person might later claim.
Name the Fallacy:
“You say ‘Why do I think [America] is in danger?’ and I
say look at the record. Seven years of the TrumanAcheson Administration and what’s happened? Six
hundred million people lost to the Communists, and a
war in Korea in which we have lost 117,000 American
Casualties.”
(From Nixon’s “Checkers” speech.
Name the Fallacy:
Since 9/11 we’ve tried and convicted
few terrorists, therefore our defense
system must be working.
Name that Fallacy:
Steven Johnson grew up in poverty.
Therefore, he will make a fine
President of the United States.
Name that Fallacy:
“A group of self-appointed lifestyle police are pushing
to control many aspects of our daily lives. If they
succeed, we lose our basic right of free choice. Today
they’re targeting smoking. What’s next? Red meat?
Leather? Coffee? If fifty million smokers can lose their
rights anyone can.”
(From an ad for the National Smokers Alliance.)
Name that Fallacy
Either I keep smoking, or I’ll get fat.
I don’t want to get fat, so I better
keep smoking.
Name that Fallacy:
You can’t expect insight and credibility
from the recent book The Feminist
Challenge because its author David
Bouchier is, obviously, a man.
Name that Fallacy:
“His books about ancient Egypt are
worthless because he is a convicted forger
and embezzler.”
Name that Fallacy:
If such actions were not illegal, then
they would not be prohibited by the
law.”
Name that Fallacy:
“Clearly, you must recognize that in this
case I’m firm. You are stubborn. He’s
pig-headed.”
(Philosopher Betrand Russell.)
Name that Fallacy:
Anyone who truly cares about
preserving the American way of life will
vote Republican this fall.
Name that Fallacy:
Minorities get paid less than whites in America.
Therefore, the black CEO of a multi-billion dollar
company gets paid less than the white janitor
who cleans his office.
Name that Fallacy:
“All Latinos are volatile people.”
(Former Senator Jesse Helms, on Mexican protests
against Senate Foreign Affairs subcommittee
hearings on corruption south of the border.)
Name that Fallacy:
Bill: "I believe that abortion is morally acceptable. After all, a woman
should have a right to her own body."
Jane: "I disagree completely. Dr.
Johan Skarn says that abortion is always morally wrong, regardless of the
situation. He has to be right, after all, he is a respected expert in his field."
Bill: "I've never heard of Dr. Skarn. Who is he?" Jane: "He's the
guy that won the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on cold fusion."
Bill: "I see. Does he have any expertise in morality or ethics?"
Jane: "I don't know. But he's a world famous expert, so I believe
him."
Name that Fallacy:
“You know, Professor Brown, I really need
to get an A in this class. I'd like to stop by
during your office hours later to discuss my
grade. I'll be in your building anyway,
visiting my father. He's your dean, by the
way. I'll see you later."
Name that Fallacy:
A car makes less pollution than a
bus. Therefore, cars are less of a
pollution problem than buses.
Name that Fallacy:
“I give so much pleasure to so many
people. Why can’t I get some pleasure
for myself?”
(Comedian John Belushi to his doctor in
justification of drug use.)
Name that Fallacy:
Just as instructors can prune sentences for poor
grammar, so the principal was entitled to find certain
articles inappropriate for publication—in this situation
because they might reveal the identity of pregnant
students and because references to sexual activity
were deemed improper for high school students to
see.
Name that Fallacy:
“He cannot accuse me of libel because
he was just successfully sued for libel.”
Name that Fallacy:
“Senator Jones says that we should not
fund the attack submarine program. I
disagree entirely. I can’t understand why he
wants to leave us defenseless like that.”
Name that Fallacy:
"We admit that this measure is popular. But
we also urge you to note that there are so
many bond issues on this ballot that the
whole thing is getting ridiculous."
Name that Fallacy:
In the Academy Award winning best film, The King’s Speech, King George
VI Bertie (played by Colin Firth) ascended to the throne at the end of 1936.
Three years later, he gives the speech of the film’s title. In the time
between these two events, the British government notoriously blundered
and appeased the Nazis, most famously at Munich. Less well-remembered
is that after Prime Minister Chamberlain returned from giving away a chunk
of Europe to the Germans, he was immediately invited to Buckingham
Palace to appear on the balcony with the King and Queen (the latter is now
better known as the recently departed but beloved “Queen Mum”). This
was both a violation of protocol—the Royals are supposed to stay out of
politics—and an extraordinary endorsement of a prime minister whose
foreign policy was disastrous. Much of the Labor Party was rightly furious.
This despicable historical fact is less well-known than it should be, but the
film fails twice—first, by not showing it at all, and, second, by implying that
Bertie was staunchly anti-fascist from the start.
Name that Fallacy:
“Since racial hatred is caused by diversity,
isn’t it a good idea to curb immigration?”
Name that Fallacy:
“I do not have much information on this except
the general statement of the agency that there
is nothing in the files to disprove his communist
connections.”
(In 1950, Senator Joseph R. McCarthy’s response when asked
about the 40th name on his list of 81 Americans he claimed were
communists working for the United Stated Department of State.)
Name that Fallacy:
“He really is the perfect man for me,
though you’re right, he doesn’t have a
job, a car, or a phone, spends most of
his time playing World of Warcraft, and
still lives with his mother whom he calls
his sweetheart.”
Name that Fallacy:
School violence has gone up and academic
performance has gone down ever since
organized prayer was banned at public schools.
Therefore, prayer should be reintroduced,
resulting in school improvement.
Name that Fallacy:
Of course this mode of government is the
best. We have had this government for
over 200 years and no one has talked
about changing it in all that time. So, it has
got to be good.
Name that Fallacy:
“The Bold and the Listless must be a great
book. It’s been on the best seller list for 8
weeks.”
Fallacies in Ads
and
Public Service
Announcements
(PSAs)
Analysis Breakdown
1. the argument (AKA, what the ad/PSA wants you to buy or do)
2. overall effect of the design
3. the relation of print to image
4. appeals to reasoning and/or emotions
5. fallacy or fallacies committed
6. effect of the ad on the intended audience
7. effect of the ad on those who are not part of the intended
audience