Logical Fallacies

Logical Fallacies

• Understanding Common Errors in Reasoning
• Your Name
• Date

Introduction

• Logical fallacies are

mistakes in reasoning
that weaken an
argument.

• Knowing these fallacies

helps with critical
thinking and better
communication.

Slippery Slope

• Definition: This fallacy

happens when one small
action is said to lead to a
series of bigger problems
without proof.

• Example: "If we let

students redo one
assignment, next they'll
want to redo every test,
and soon, no one will
study!"

Open Ended

Give an example of a Slippery Slope.

Argument: There should be vending machines in the cafeteria

Bandwagon Appeal

• Definition: This fallacy
happens when
something is said to be
true or good just
because many people
believe it.

• Example: "Everyone
has this new phone, so it
must be the best one!"

Open Ended

Give an an example of bandwagon appeal

Argument: Their should be vending machines in the cafeteria

Red Herring

• Definition: This fallacy
happens when
someone brings up an
unrelated topic to
distract from the real
issue.

• Example: "Why worry
about pollution when
so many people are out
of work?"

Open Ended

Give an an example of a Red Herring

Argument: Their should be vending machines in the cafeteria

Ad Hominem

• Definition: This fallacy
happens when someone
attacks a person instead of
their argument.

• Example: "You can't
believe what John says
about climate
change—he's not even a
scientist!"

Open Ended

Give an an example of Ad Hominem.

Argument: Their should be vending machines in the cafeteria

Logical fallacies are reasoning mistakes that weaken
arguments.

Slippery- where small actions are exaggerated into
major consequences;

Bandwagon appeal-which assumes something is true
because it's popular;

Red herring-which distracts from the main issue

Ad hominem-which attacks a person instead of their
argument