Fallacies

Stereotyping A type of overgeneralization. Stereotypes are broad statements about people on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, race, political, social, professional, or religious group.

Personal Attack / “Ad Hominem” An attempt to discredit an idea by attacking the person or group associated with it. Candidates often engage in name-calling during political campaigns.

Bandwagon Suggests that a person should believe or do something because “everyone else” does. In this fallacy, a threat of rejection by one's peers (or peer pressure) is substituted for evidence in an "argument."

Appeal to pity, vanity or fear Uses strong feeling, rather than facts, to persuade Example: You don't know what it is like to lose a child. My son was murdered when he was still so very young - he never really had a chance to live and enjoy life. There are so many things he will now miss out on which he should have had a chance to experience. Well, I think that his killer should be executed. If you don't agree, then you don't really sympathize with my position.

Circular Reasoning Supporting a statement by simply repeating it in different words Not providing any real evidence or reason

Either-Or suggesting that there are only two choices available in a situation that really offers more than two options.

Oversimplification / “Straw Man” An explanation of a complex situation or problem as if it were much simpler than it is.

Non Sequitur A statement that uses irrelevant “proof” to support a claim. Latin for "it does not follow" A non sequitur is sometimes used to win an argument by diverting the reader’s attention to proof that can’t be challenged.

Non sequitur Example “God is love." "Love is blind." "Ray Charles is blind." "Therefore, Ray Charles is God.”

Glittering Generality Makes a generalization that includes a word or phrase with positive connotations, such as freedom and honor or tasty or sensational, to promote a product or idea.

Snob Appeal Taps into people’s desire to be special or part of an elite group (status, wealth, superiority).

Which fallacy is this? Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies. Ad hominem We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth. Either / or

George Bush is a good communicator because he speaks effectively. Circular Reasoning People who don't support the proposed state minimum wage increase hate the poor. Strawman / Oversimplification

Circular Reasoning

“Pure, fresh, mountain spring water. Bottled especially for you in Utah from only our purest mountain springs.” Glittering Generality "Millions of Americans use Bayer aspirin” Bandwagon

"Mitsubishi is the fastest growing car maker.“ Bandwagon Why own a Chevy when you can have a Lexus? Snob Appeal

"Secure, safe and stable. That's the advantage of a Subaru. No other car on the road is as reliable." Glittering Generality

"George W. Bush will renew America's promise and fight for freedom here and abroad.“ Glittering Generality "No wonder six million customers purchased our product last year,“ Bandwagon

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