Logical Fallacies

What is a logical fallacy?

• An argument with a beginning, end, and middle

• An argument that contains a non-statement

• An argument that contains a mistake in reasoning

• Junior's last name.

Presents only two choices when more options exist

• Correlation Not Causation

• False Analogy

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man

An ad hominem attack...

• is a very effective debate strategy.

• goes after a person's argument.

• is always against a popular idea.

• is an attack on the person, not the argument .

__________ is a logical fallacy where the person arguing makes false connections between two things instead of looking for the actual reason.

You should never gamble. Once you start gambling you find it hard to stop. Soon you are spending all your money on gambling, and eventually you will turn to crime to support your earnings.

• Straw Man

• Slippery Slope

• Ad Hominem

• Correlation Not Causation

Charlie: I think we should put more money into schools. Public education is so important.

Bob: So you’re saying we should cut military spending and spend it instead on more spiral notebooks and crayons? I guess you want our country to be a weak, defenseless target for terrorists.

• Ad Hominem

• False Analogy

• Correlation Not Causation

• Straw Man

If I don’t take this A.P. class, then I won’t do well on the exam. If I don’t do well on the A.P. exam, then I can’t get into a good college. If I can’t get into a good college, then I’ll never get a good job. If I can’t get a good job, then I’m going to have to live in my parents’ basement forever. Guess I’ll sign up for the A.P. class.

This is an example of what type of logical fallacy?

Teacher: If I let you go to the bathroom pretty soon everybody will want to go to the bathroom.

• False Analogy

• Correlation Not Causation

• Ad Hominem

• Slippery Slope

People become dangerously addicted to drugs and alcohol. If you're not careful, you'll become addicted to your phone.

• False Analogy

• Slippery Slope

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man

Joan is scratched by a cat while visiting her friend. Two days later she comes down with a fever. Joan concludes that the cat's scratch must be the cause of her illness.

• Correlation Not Causation

• False Analogy

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man