Logical Fallacies

Our mayor had a successful acting career when he was a young man.  He may say we don't need a new courthouse in this city, but can you trust anyone who once learned to lie so well?

• 1. ad hominem

• post hoc

• false dilemma

• 1. slippery slope

• a hasty generalization

Ever since Eric started working here at Bob's Burgers, we've had fewer customers on Saturday nights.  Obviously, Eric is at fault, and we need to get rid of him!

• 1. ad hominem

• post hoc

• false dilemma

• 1. slippery slope

• a hasty generalization

The Campbell family down the street has requested a zoning variance that would allow them to build an apartment on their property to house Mrs. Campbell's aging parents.  Clearly, if we allow this variance, the Campbells, not to mention other area residents, will be eager to add structures to their property in order to house not just family members, but paying tenants as well.  It will not be long before roads will be widened, hunting with be prohibited, and thousands of acres will be bull-dozed for gas stations and shopping malls --all to handle the ever-growing suburban population of our previously rural neighborhood.

• 1. ad hominem

• post hoc

• false dilemma

• 1. slippery slope

• a hasty generalization

You can go back to school in the fall to finish your associate's degree, or you can quit school, give up your degree, and work for the rest of your life in a sweatshop.  It's up to you.

• 1. ad hominem

• post hoc

• false dilemma

• 1. slippery slope

• a hasty generalization

I've met three redheads and they were all mean, so all redheads are mean.

• 1. ad hominem

• post hoc

• false dilemma

• 1. slippery slope

• a hasty generalization

You should take those vitamins because Brad Pitt said they are the best.

• appeal to authority

• straw man

• a loaded question

• equivocation

• red herring

Have you finally stopped cheating on exams?

• appeal to authority

• straw man

• a loaded question

• equivocation

• red herring

Salad is healthy, and taco salad is a salad. Therefore, taco salad is healthy.

• appeal to authority

• straw man

• a loaded question

• equivocation

• red herring

“You’re right, that toy in the toy shop looks really fun. Let’s go home and see what fun toys we have there!”

• appeal to authority

• straw man

• a loaded question

• equivocation

• red herring

• Our new principal wants to ban everything that’s fun. 

• appeal to authority

• straw man

• a loaded question

• equivocation

• red herring