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Fallacies in Argumentation
Fallacies in Argumentation
by Matt Slick
There are different kinds of logical fallacies that people make in presenting their
positions. Below is a list of some of the major fallacies. It is a good idea to be familiar
with them so you can point them out in a discussion thereby focusing the issues where
they belong while exposing error.
It is true that during a debate on an issue if you simply point out to your "opponent" a
logical fallacy that he/she has just made, it generally gives you the upper hand. But
then, merely having the upper hand is not the goal: truth is. Nevertheless, logical
fallacies hide the truth; so pointing them out is very useful.
1.Ad Hominem - Attacking the individual instead of the argument. 1.Example: You
are so stupid your argument couldn't possibly be true.
2.Example: I figured that you couldn't possibly get it right, so I ignored your comment.
2.Appeal to Force - Telling the hearer that something bad will happen to him if he
does not accept the argument. 1.Example: If you don't want to get beaten up, you will
agree with what I say.
3.Appeal to Pity - Urging the hearer to accept the argument based upon an appeal to
emotions, sympathy, etc. 1.Example: You owe me big time because I really stuck my
neck out for you.
2.Example: Oh come on, I've been sick. That's why I missed the deadline.
4.Appeal to the Popular - Urging the hearer to accept a position because a majority
of people hold to it. 1.Example: The majority of people like soda. Therefore, soda is
good.
2.Example: The Catholic church's tradition demonstrates that this doctrine is true.
6.Begging the Question - Assuming the thing to be true that you are trying to prove.
It is circular. 1.Example: God exists because the Bible says so. The Bible is inspired.
Therefore, we know that God exists.
2.Example: I am a good worker because Frank says so. How can we trust Frank?
Simple: I will vouch for him.
7.Cause and Effect - assuming that the effect is related to a cause because the events
occur together. 1.Example: When the rooster crows, the sun rises. Therefore, the
rooster causes the sun to rise.
2.Example: When the fuel light goes on in my car, I soon run out of gas. Therefore, the
fuel light causes my car to run out of gas.
9.Fallacy of Composition - Assuming that what is true of the part is true for the
whole. 1.Example: That engine is blue. Therefore, the car is blue.
2.Example: You are weird. That means that your family is weird, too.
10.Fallacy of Division - Assuming that what is true of the whole is true for the parts.
1.Example: That car is blue. Therefore, its engine is blue.
2.Example: Your family is weird. That means that you are weird, too.
12.False Dilemma - Giving two choices when in actuality there could be more choices
possible. 1.Example: You either did knock the glass over or you did not. Which is it?
(Someone else could have knocked the glass over).
2.Example: Frank just got out of jail last year; since it was his idea to start the hardware
store, I can't trust him.
15.Non Sequitur - Comments or information that does not logically follow from a
premise or the conclusion. 1.Example: We know why it rained today: because I washed
my car.
2.Example: I don't care what you say. We don't need any more bookshelves. As long as
the carpet is clean, we are fine.
17.Red Herring - Introducing a topic not related to the subject at hand. 1.Example: I
know your car isn't working right. But, if you had gone to the store one day earlier,
you'd not be having problems.
2.Example: I know I forgot to deposit the check into the bank yesterday. But, nothing I
do pleases you.
2.Example: We know that evolution is false because we did not evolve from monkeys.
2.Example: Saying logic is transcendental is like saying cars would exist if matter didn't.