Can be scary… if you fall for them!! Logical Fallacies Can be scary… if you fall for them!!

So…what is this Fallacy thing? A Fallacy is: a deceptive, misleading, false, or erroneous (SAT WORD!) argument.

Basically, a fallacy is something that makes an argument weak. Um, still not sure? Basically, a fallacy is something that makes an argument weak. Trust me, you hear and do this ALL THE TIME!

Why do we care? You want to be able to give strong arguments in all areas of life! Also, you want to be able to read, listen to and critique arguments in an educated way. Understanding this will help you!

Now that you know what it IS … Here are some examples!

Hasty Generalization Definition: Making an assumption about a whole group based on a small sample. You may be more familiar with a term like stereotyping.

Write down an example that helps you remember this fallacy! Hasty Generalization Example: All graduate students are nerdy. My English class is hard. My best friend’s English class is hard too. All English classes must be hard. Write down an example that helps you remember this fallacy!

False Cause Definition: Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B. Causation: the act of causing or producing Correlation: when two things are related Causation and Correlation are NOT the same thing!

Write down an example to help you remember this fallacy! False Cause President Jones raised taxes and then the rate of violent crime went up. Therefore, President Jones is responsible for the rise in violent crime. These two things have CORRELATION but not CAUSATION. Write down an example to help you remember this fallacy!

Slippery Slope Definition: The arguer claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there's really not enough evidence for that assumption.

Slippery Slope Example: I failed my math test. If I fail math then I won’t get into a good college. If I don’t get into a good college then I won’t get a good job and if I don’t get a good job then I won’t make enough money. Then I won’t be able to get a house and I’ll end up homeless on the street. Write down your own example to help you remember this fallacy!

Weak Analogy Definition: A comparison between two things that aren’t really alike in what matters.

Weak Analogy Example: Guns are like hammers – they’re both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone. And yet, it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers – so restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous.

Weak Analogy Why is this a bad comparison? Guns and hammers have metal parts. Guns and hammers are both tools. Guns and hammers can both be dangerous.

Weak Analogy They’re not alike in some of the most important ways. Consider their differences. That’s what makes this analogy weak. Write down your own example to help you remember this fallacy!

False Dichotomy Definition: The arguer sets up two choices. Then he/she eliminates one, leaving you only one option (the one he/she wanted you to choose).

False Dichotomy Example: The weight room is old and falling apart. Either we continue to risk students’ safety or we tear down the building. Obviously we can’t risk the safety of our students, so we must build a new High School.

False Dichotomy There are many other options! Such as …? The arguer has forced you to choose between two options – there is rarely a time you ONLY have 2 choices.

Begging the Question This one is a little more complicated … Definition: This argument wants (or “begs”) the reader (or listener) to accept the argument without any REAL evidence.

Begging the Question Continued: The argument relies on a premise that says the same thing as the conclusion. This can also be called circular reasoning.

Begging the Question Example: Cheating is immoral because it’s not right to copy off of someone’s paper. Let's lay this out in premise- conclusion form: Premise: It is immoral to cheat. Conclusion: It’s not right to copy.

Begging the Question If we "translate" the premise, we'll see that the arguer has really just said the same thing twice: “immoral" means pretty much the same thing as “not right," and “cheat" means “copy off of someone’s paper." So the premise basically says, “cheating isn’t right," just like the conclusion does! The arguer hasn't yet given us any real reasons why cheating is immoral; instead, she has left us asking "well, really, why do you think cheating is wrong?" Her argument "begs" (that is, evades) the real question (think of "beg off").

Begging the Question Example: (My personal favorite!!) Scene: a conversation between a mother and a child. Because I said so. But Whyyyyyyy?! Whyyyy did you sayyyy soooo? Because I did.

Can you name the fallacy?! Plagiarism is deceitful because it is dishonest. I know three redheads with terrible tempers and since Amber is a redhead, she will have a terrible temper as well. My paper is like a mud puddle because they are both murky. Either you pay the whole fine or we’ll take all of your paycheck.

Can you name the fallacy?! 5. Why should we put people on trial when we know they are guilty? 6. We have to stop the tuition increase! The next thing you know, they'll be charging $40,000 a semester! 7. You know Shaun T’s exercise videos must be worth the money. Look at the great shape he’s in.

Check yourself! Begging the Question Hasty Generalization Weak Analogy False Dichotomy Slippery Slope False Cause