Logical Fallacies

A series that reflects the heart and purpose of Rubicon Free Press.

LOGICAL FALLACIES

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that make an argument unsound, even if it may sound convincing. They often involve flawed logic or irrelevant information used to persuade, rather than valid evidence. Understanding these fallacies is crucial for critical thinking and evaluating arguments effectively.

Here's a breakdown of common logical fallacies:

• Ad Hominem: This fallacy attacks the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself.

  • Example: "You can't believe her opinion on climate change, she's just a teenager."

• Hasty Generalisation: Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence or a small sample size.

  • Example: "My two philosophy professors were terrible, so all philosophy classes must be bad."

• Red Herring: Introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue.

  • Example: "Instead of discussing the budget cuts, let's talk about how much we love our town."

• Straw Man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

  • Example: "You said we should invest in renewable energy? So you want to destroy the economy by shutting down all the oil and gas companies?"

• Slippery Slope: Asserting that one event will inevitably lead to a series of increasingly negative consequences, without sufficient evidence.

  • Example: "If we legalise marijuana, then more people will start using harder drugs, and soon the country will be filled with addicts."

• False Dilemma: Presenting only two options when more exist, forcing a choice between them.

  • Example: "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists."

• Appeal to Authority: Citing an authority figure who is not an expert on the topic at hand.

  • Example: "My doctor said that the best way to lose weight is to only eat grapefruit, so that must be true."

• Appeal to Ignorance: Arguing that a claim is true because it hasn't been proven false, or vice versa.

  • Example: "No one has ever proven that ghosts don't exist; therefore, they must be real."

• Bandwagon: Arguing that a claim is true simply because it is popular.

  • Example: "Everyone is buying this new phone, so it must be the best one on the market."

• Begging the Question: Assuming the conclusion is true in the premise, creating a circular argument.

  • Example: "The Bible is the word of God because the Bible says so."

• False Analogy: Comparing two things that are not actually similar enough to draw a valid conclusion.

  • Example: "Comparing a country's economy to a human body, and saying that because the body needs to rest, the economy needs to rest too."

  • Genetic Fallacy: Judging the validity of an argument based on its origin or source, rather than its content.

  • Example: "That idea came from a communist country, so it must be bad."

These are just some of the many logical fallacies that can be used to mislead or manipulate. Recognising these fallacies is a crucial skill for evaluating information and forming sound judgments.

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NOTE: This summary is, in large part, provided by Google. As the series continues, each summary will be expanded upon and embodied in the mission and vision of Rubicon Free Press.

Some source material is from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/logic_in_argumentative_writing/fallacies.html

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