Logical Fallacies
Logical Fallacies
Fallacies of Relevance
Ad Hominem
Refers to a personal attack on an arguer’s reputation or character rather than the argument itself.
Usually seen in political debates
Example: Teddy Roosevelt’s attacks on William Howard Taft’s obesity.
Attacking the Motive
Refers to focusing on an attack against an arguer’s supposed motivation or bias rather than focusing on the argument itself.
Usually points to how the arguer would benefit from his own argument.
Example: Flower companies stand to make millions this Valentine’s Day, so they are lying when they say roses have always been a ubiquitous symbol of love. Look Who’s Talking (Tu Quoque)
Refers to the rejection of an argument or claim based on the arguer’s inability to follow his/her own advice.
Usually points to the arguer’s inability to practice what he preaches and rejects that helpful advice.
Example: My doctor told me to stop smoking, but since he smokes I can still smoke; I should be okay.
Two Wrongs Make a Right
Refers to the improper justification of an act simply because a similar act is just as bad or worse.
Usually related to Tu Quoque
Example:
Mom: Jack, stop hitting your sister
Jack: Well, she kicked me!
It doesn’t matter that Cuba is run by a dictator. We should lift the embargo on Cuba because we have trade relations with other dictators in China and the middle east.
Scare Tactics
Refers to the threat of violence or other detriment in order to emotionally manipulate the audience.
Usually sound like threatening statements; related to pathos
Example:
Politician A: We both agree that I am in charge of the bill and what can go in it; it would be so unfortunate if I withheld my vote from your next project to prove so.
We should not vote in favor of Obamacare because it would implement death panels.
Appeal to Pity (Pathos)
Refers to the way an arguer develops a claim with emotional baggage that has no bearing on the argument.
Usually used
Fallacies of Relevance
Ad Hominem
Refers to a personal attack on an arguer’s reputation or character rather than the argument itself.
Usually seen in political debates
Example: Teddy Roosevelt’s attacks on William Howard Taft’s obesity.
Attacking the Motive
Refers to focusing on an attack against an arguer’s supposed motivation or bias rather than focusing on the argument itself.
Usually points to how the arguer would benefit from his own argument.
Example: Flower companies stand to make millions this Valentine’s Day, so they are lying when they say roses have always been a ubiquitous symbol of love. Look Who’s Talking (Tu Quoque)
Refers to the rejection of an argument or claim based on the arguer’s inability to follow his/her own advice.
Usually points to the arguer’s inability to practice what he preaches and rejects that helpful advice.
Example: My doctor told me to stop smoking, but since he smokes I can still smoke; I should be okay.
Two Wrongs Make a Right
Refers to the improper justification of an act simply because a similar act is just as bad or worse.
Usually related to Tu Quoque
Example:
Mom: Jack, stop hitting your sister
Jack: Well, she kicked me!
It doesn’t matter that Cuba is run by a dictator. We should lift the embargo on Cuba because we have trade relations with other dictators in China and the middle east.
Scare Tactics
Refers to the threat of violence or other detriment in order to emotionally manipulate the audience.
Usually sound like threatening statements; related to pathos
Example:
Politician A: We both agree that I am in charge of the bill and what can go in it; it would be so unfortunate if I withheld my vote from your next project to prove so.
We should not vote in favor of Obamacare because it would implement death panels.
Appeal to Pity (Pathos)
Refers to the way an arguer develops a claim with emotional baggage that has no bearing on the argument.
Usually used