Logical Fallacies
Contributor: Derrian Goebel
When considering your argument or the arguments of others, writers and readers need to be
aware of logical fallacies. Logical fallacies are found in many places—ads, politics, movies.
Logical fallacies make an argument weak by using mistaken beliefs/ideas, invalid arguments,
illogical arguments, and/or deceptiveness. If you are arguing, avoid fallacies of thought because
they create weaknesses in an argument. Here are some of the most common fallacies to be
aware of.
Ad hominem


Attacking one’s character rather than the issue; an insult
is not addressing the concern.
Does your reason for arguing stand on solid ground, or
are you just insulting the opponent?
o Address sandwich quality, not the boy who brought it
up.
Source: Craig Brown; “Critical Thinking”; Craig’s
Sense of Wonder (Feb 14) Web:
https://craigssenseofwonder.wordpress.com/tag/
ad-hominem/
Appeal to False Authority





Using a source quote from someone who is not an expert in the field.
Who qualifies as an “expert”?
Are there credentials for your “expert”?
Do you/they have the authority?
Is your/their source biased?
o Oprah is not a medical doctor, therefore not the “expert” on
digestion.
Source: CT10E9; “Entry4”; Blog
at WordPress (2012) Web:
https://ct10e9.wordpress.com/
Bandwagon Fallacy



When evidence merely says that the reasoning is because others do or
like it, you are not providing solid evidence.
Who is “everyone”?
Source: “Logical Fallacies.” Logical Fallacies
Are they really “all” thinking the same way?
Logical Fallacies Comments. Web. 9 Mar. 2015.
Web: https://itslit.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/theo Just because everyone has a cell phone, doesn’t mean that
fallacy-to-my-logic/
everyone needs a cell phone.
Begging the Question/Circular Reasoning


Affirming the claim in a circular manner that essentially supports itself.
Is your claim supported by something other than its own concept?
o Game of Thrones TV show is the best ever because it is awesome!
Source: Plukrijp; Flickr; (2012) Web:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/plukrijp/7163101719
Page 1 of 2
Logical Fallacies
UWC April 2016
Either/Or Fallacy



Reducing complex arguments to simply right/wrong
There are more than two sides to arguments.
Ask yourself if someone can come up with an alternative?
o Not everyone loves bacon.
Faulty Analogy


Source: Chatpilot; “10 Common theistic
argumentative tactics.” God is a Myth!; (Apr
2014) Web: http://chatpilotgodisamyth.blogspot.com/2013/04/10common-theistic-argumentative-tactics.html
Comparing things that are similar in some ways, but not where it matters most.
Using a metaphor can support a claim, but are the parts of your metaphor connected? If not,
your argument will fall apart.
o Comparing apples to oranges is not useful to your argument on apple quality.
Faulty Causality


Drawing the conclusion that when two events happen close
together one has caused the other.
Has event A caused event B, or did it just happen at the same
time?
o When I bring my lucky dolls, my team wins the game!
Source: “Venus Trapped in Mars” (Nov 2013) Web:
http://www.venustrappedinmars.com/2013/11/itsonly-weird-if-it-doesnt-work.html
Hasty Generalization


Making a claim based on one or two examples that may not be
relevant to the claims or subject.
Does every single American like it, really?
o Using “all the time” and “all Americans like…”
Source: Aaron’s Blog; “Degree and Hasty
Generalization”; Blog at WordPress (2013)
https://atuttle1.wordpress.com/2013/09/10/d
egree-and-hasty-generalization/
Slippery Slope



Arguments that proclaim that one incident will start a chain of
events leading to devastating results.
Are your claims over-reaching or exaggerated?
Aren’t always completely off base, but usually inaccurate and
blown out of proportion.
o Potlucks do not lead to socialism.
Vagueness, Evasions, Misstatements




Vagueness is simply lies in truth’s clothing.
Misstatements often take a quote out of context to “prove” a point.
Are you clearly interpreting the information/evidence?
A misstatement would suggest that “billions” of people are happy
with the product just because billions were served the product.
Page 2 of 2
Logical Fallacies
Source: Quickmeme;
http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/35c6q
g -and-hasty-generalization/
Source: Ned Breslin; “Counted Like
Sheep”; Circle of Blue; (2011) Web:
http://www.circleofblue.org/
UWC April 2016