Logical Fallacies Overview Logical fallacies are instances of “broken reasoning.” Fallacies avoid the actual argument. We want to avoid fallacies, be able to identify them, and learn to defeat them. Logical fallacies occur in-round and in our personal lives. Point them out by name in round. Don’t point them out by name (unless you have a very understanding partner) in your interpersonal relationships. It can be annoying.

Ad Hominem Ad Hominem means “against the person” Rather than attacking the argument, the person is attacked. Johnny says, we should read our books more but he’s fat. We shouldn’t listen to him.

Tu Quoque Tu Quoque means “you too.” This fallacy is a more specific version of the ad hominem attack. It is basically accusing the arguer of hypocrisy. However, it does not focus on the argument. You say, I shouldn’t smoke because it’s unhealthy but you smoke 2 packs a day.

Straw Man This fallacy attacks the “weakest” arguments or misconstrues arguments and then claims victory based upon beating them. Some say we should “ban” abortions. They are just too expensive. However, we can reduce disposal costs by about 50%. So, clearly we should keep abortions. Is the $ cost a common argument against abortions? This misconstrues the position.

Slippery Slope This fallacy argues that one thing will lead to another – will lead to another in an illogical/unreasonable manner. We can’t legalize gay marriage. If we do sexual morality will be blurred. Soon, it will be fine to have “any” kind of sex. Sex with animals – fine! Sex with minors – fine! Will the one thing really lead to the next? Could it lead to something else entirely?

Non-Sequitur This means “does not follow” This fallacy occurs when the conclusion does not follow from the evidence given. Our housing industry is on the down-turn, many folks are unemployed, cars pollute. Therefore, we need to legalize marijuana. When an argument seems “idiotic,” it is probably an non- sequitur.

False Dichotomy AKA the either/or fallacy 2 choices are falsely sold as the only possibilities. Either we leave Afghanistan or we will have global nuclear war. Are there other possibilities?

Bandwagon Fallacy Everyone else is doing it – so should I/We. Or this “celeb” etc. believes it – so should I/We. 75% of Americans think we should not legalize gay marriage. Therefore, gay marriage must be wrong. Does the evidence really support the conclusion?

Appeal To Ignorance Since it can’t be proven otherwise the conclusion must be true. There is life on other planets. You can’t prove there isn’t. So, we must believe it is true. The reasoning in an appeal to ignorance can be easily (flipped).

Appeal To Tradition This is the way its always been done. Therefore, we should continue to do it this way. We can’t integrate our schools. We’ve never done that before. Tradition is not always right. Using historical examples is not the same as appeal to tradition. Historical references are “actual” support for an argument.

Begging the Question The premise and the conclusion essentially argue and/or say the same thing. It is also often called “circular reasoning”. The Bible is the word of God because the Bible says it is the word of God. How do we know what we know?