Logical Fallacies

Arguing that one small step will inevitably lead to a chain of related negative events. Example: “If we allow students to use calculators in class, soon they won’t be able to do basic math, and then society will collapse!”

• Slippery Slope

• False Dilemma

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man

Presenting only two options when there are actually more possibilities. Example: “You’re either with us, or you’re against us.”

• False Dilemma (False Dichotomy)

• Straw Man Fallacy

• Ad Hominem Attack

• Slippery Slope Fallacy

Arguing that something must be true (or false) because there is no evidence proving otherwise. Example: “No one has proven that ghosts don’t exist, so they must be real.”

• Appeal to Ignorance

• False Dilemma

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man

Treating two unequal things as if they are the same. Example: “Saying mean things online is just as bad as physical assault.”

• False Equivalence

• False Analogy

• False Dichotomy

• False Attribution

Assuming that because one event happened before another, the first must have caused the second. Example: “I wore my lucky socks, and my team won the game. My socks must be magical!”

• Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (False Cause)

• Ad Hominem (Attacking the Person)

• Straw Man (Misrepresenting an Argument)

• Slippery Slope (Chain Reaction)

Making a broad conclusion based on limited or insufficient evidence. Example: “My friend got into a car accident with a teenager, so all teenagers must be bad drivers.”

• Hasty Generalization

• False Cause

• Ad Hominem

• Slippery Slope

Cherry-picking data that supports your argument while ignoring data that contradicts it. Example: “A town has five lottery winners, so moving there will increase your chances of winning!” (Ignoring the thousands of people who didn’t win.)

• Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy

• Confirmation Bias

• Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

• Appeal to Ignorance

Defining a group in a way that excludes any counterexamples. Example: Person A: “No true American would criticize the government.” Person B: “I criticize the government, and I’m American.” Person A: “Well, then you’re not a true American.”

• No True Scotsman

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man

• Slippery Slope

Arguing that something is good or right just because it is natural. Example: “This medicine is made from all-natural ingredients, so it must be safe.”

• Appeal to Nature

• Naturalistic Fallacy

• Appeal to Tradition

• False Dichotomy

Using emotions rather than logic to persuade someone. Example: “If you don’t donate to this charity, innocent puppies will suffer and die.”

• Appeal to Emotion

• Logical Fallacy

• Ad Hominem

• Straw Man Argument