Logical Fallacies Logical fallacies are flaws in reasoning that lead to faulty, illogical statements. They are unreasonable argumentative tactics named for what has gone wrong during the reasoning process. Most logical fallacies masquerade as reasonable statements, but they are in fact attempts to manipulate readers by reaching their emotions, or faulty logic, instead of their intellects.

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. The arguer asserts that if we take even one step onto the "slippery slope," we will end up sliding all the way to the bottom; he or she assumes we can't stop halfway down the hill. Example: "Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don't respect life, we are likely to be more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will become a battlefield in which everyone constantly fears for their lives. It will be the end of civilization. To prevent this terrible consequence, we should make animal experimentation illegal right now." Since animal experimentation has been legal for some time and civilization has not yet ended, it seems particularly clear that this chain of events won't necessarily take place.

Ad Populum/Bandwagon Ad Populum Fallacy—“to the crowd;” a misconception that a widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it right or wrong You decide to vote for Jim Merritt because all of your friends are voting for him.

Ad Hominem Latin for to the man Directly attacks someone’s appearance, personal habits, or character rather than focusing on the merit of the issue at hand. The implication is that if something is wrong with this person, whatever he/she says must be wrong. How can you say he’s a good musician when he’s been in and out of rehab for three years?

Ad Hominem – Making it Personal Sara is divorced, so whatever relationship advice she gives you can’t be good. It is the suggestions, not the person who makes them, that deserve attention. Sara’s marital status has nothing to do with the quality of her advice. Isn’t it also possible that Sara could be married and give awful advice? If my husband forgot to wash his dish, I would move out too. You did the right thing, Carol.

Hasty Generalization A hasty generalization is a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence. Stereotyping and sexism are forms of this fallacy. Take, for example common dumb blonde jokes: Q: What do you call a blonde skeleton in the closet? A: Last year's hide-and-go seek winner.

Example of a Generalization The only redheads I know are rude. Therefore, all redheads must have bad manners. If the speaker only knows two redheads, then he has insufficient evidence to make the general claim about all people with that hair color.

Either – Or / False Dilemma A false dilemma asserts that a complex situation can have only two possible outcomes and that one of the options is necessary or preferable. Either go to college or forget about making money. This falsely implies that a college education is a pre-requisite for financial success. Rob Dyrdek is an entrepreneur, actor, producer, and former professional skateboarder. He also has no formal schooling past the 11th grade.

Begging the Question This is a kind of circular argument where the support only restates the claim. Wrestling is dangerous because it is unsafe. Jogging is fun because it is enjoyable. Unsafe means the same thing as dangerous and fun means the same thing as enjoyable. This makes the reasoning circular.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Fallacy post hoc, ergo propter hoc literally means after this, therefore because of this. This fallacy assumes that just because B happened after A, it must have been caused by A. Politicians love this one.

Post Hoc Example Since Jeb Bush took gubernatorial office (1999 – 2007), unemployment of minorities in the state of Florida decreased by seven percent. Governor Bush should be applauded for reducing unemployment among minorities. Before we pat the governor on the back, the speaker must show that Bush’s policies were responsible for the decrease in unemployment. It is not enough to show the decrease came after his election.

False Analogy An analogy points out similarities in things that are otherwise different. A false analogy claims comparison when differences outweigh similarities. Essentially, it’s comparing apples and oranges! People who cannot go without their morning cup of coffee are no better than alcoholics.

False Analogy Example 2 If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we find the cure for the common cold? While both things being compared here are related to science, there are more differences than similarities between space and biological advancements.

And…another Faulty Analogy Guns are like hammers—they are 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.

Summary Slippery Slope Ad Populum/Bandwagon Ad Hominem Hasty Generalization False Dilemma Begging the Question Post Hoc False Analogy