![]() ![]() ![]() This is how it works:Įssentially you reduce an argument down to only two options despite the fact that there may be many more (and far better possibilities) to choose from e.g: ![]() This is also sometimes known as the False Dichotomy, the Black and White Fallacy, or even the Bi-Furcation Fallacy. Disclaimer I have no idea if fairies exist or not – but think it would be kinda cool if they did! ‘This supplement is totally amazing because no one who has taken it so far has become sick!’ Or sometimes you might even see some ‘appeal to ignorance’ nonsense dressed up like this as a serious product endorsement: Which must mean they are so incredibly magical that they can make themselves completely invisible to humans’. ‘We have no hard evidence that fairies exist. Which if you think about it is completely ridiculous as not knowing something isn’t proof of anything, well, other than you don’t know something! This fallacy works by using the premise that since we do not know (or cannot prove) something that it must be either true or false. With this fallacy, you argue against a phoney, weak or ridiculous position that you have created, and then proceed to easily knock it down.įor example: “Tree-hugging environmentalists are so dumb they think plants have feelings and are more important than humans”.īasically every time you see one of those ever so funny comedy skits on Gootube ridiculing someone because they are (please take your pick here) vegan, meat eaters, millennials, GenX, silver surfers, gun owners, pacifists, spiritual, non-spiritual, love tech, hate tech etc, now you know how their little ruse works and what it’s called! 4. It works by stating that whatever is claimed is true because a ‘so-called’ authority said so rather than applying any logical reasoning or providing any evidence to support the claim.įor example: “Raising interest rates by 3% MUST be in the best interests of the economy because the PM said so yesterday on the 9 o/clock news”. This is another much loved and of course widely used and abused fallacy. ![]() There is also a variation to the Ad Hominem called ‘Guilt by Association’ that you also need to watch out for and the clue to how it works is in its title! 2. Here are some typical examples: “He is so evil you cannot trust a word he says about _ ” or ”Of course you would say that because you support _” (incidentally going forward please fill in all gaps in any way you like!). In fact, it really doesn’t matter, the main thing to remember is that they are not addressing the actual argument being presented but relying purely on feelings and prejudices to win their case. This can be directed towards their character, morals, intelligence, reputation or credentials. How it works is that rather than refuting an opponent’s argument the person attacks the individual instead. Also called ‘poisoning the well’ or the ‘personal attack’ you will have I am certain seen the ad hominem fallacy used all the time. Let’s start with probably one of the most common offenders. But to help you on your way here is a list of the 10 most common ones for you to get your head around and start your learning journey. Unsurprisingly there are a lot of logical fallacies, hundreds, in fact, so to learn them all is a big task. So, knowing how to spot a logical fallacy and call it out or refute it can be an incredibly useful life tool to have at your disposal. Sometimes they are completely unintentional, but more often than not they are used by people during debates, arguments or presentations to mislead you into thinking, acting or behaving in a certain way.Īs you might expect salespeople, politicians and con artists use them all the time often very skilfully, and the public innocently continues to fall for them. A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning or a false assumption that might sound impressive but proves absolutely nothing. ![]()
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