Logical Errors and Fallacies

These are TECHNIQUES that speakers and writers use to MANIPULATE the choices and decisions that one makes.

Red Herring – extraneous info that diverts attention from main point.

Ad hominem attack – criticizing the opponent rather than the logic of the argument

Hasty generalization – stereotyping; biased conclusion, lack of facts

False cause –Drawing a link between premise and conclusion based on some causal connection that does NOT exist.

Appeal to ignorance – because some facts are in doubt, therefore a conclusion is impossible.

Appeal to Authority – it’s true because _’expert’__ says so.

Begging the question – using some trick to make a premise seem true when it’s not.

Equivocation – using words with double meanings to mislead the listener

Slippery slope – claim that some event/action will CAUSE some subsequent action.

Appeal to Fear/Emotion – similar to slippery slope?

False dichotomy – giving either/or alternatives as if they are the only options.

  TC Home | Biology | Faculty