Fallacies in Reasoning

Circular Reasoning-using the point of an argument as evidence to support it.

Ms. Jenkins is a great manager because she is so wonderful at managing.

Personal Attack- Ignores the issue under discussion and concentrates on the character/reputation of the opponent.

Our mayor’s opinions about local crime are worthless Our mayor’s opinions about local crime are worthless. Last week, his own son was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Straw Man-To create and attack an imitation of the opponent.

The candidate for mayor says she’ll cut taxes, but do you really want fewer police officers protecting your city?

False cause-Assumption that because event B follows event A, that event B was caused by event A.

The baseball team was doing well before Paul Hamilton became manager The baseball team was doing well before Paul Hamilton became manager. Clearly, he is the cause of the decline.

False Comparison-Assumption that two things are more alike than they actually are.

When your grandmother was your age, she was already married and had four children. So, why aren’t you?

Either-Or-Assumption that there are only two sides to an issue and there is no middle ground.

People who support gun control want to take away our rights.