Logical Fallacies Ms. Wilkie 2015-2016

Logical fallacies are faults in logic, often used to attack others’ arguments.

Red Herring The introduction of an irrelevant or random point into the argument to throw the audience “off” what the real argument is. In mysteries or shows like Law and Order SVU, writers create red herrings to make the reader believe that someone else is the “suspect”, when really it was someone else. This distraction allows for the writer to complicate the story. Example: Son: “Can I go to Lollapalooza with my friends?” Dad: “Why don’t you go ask your mother?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=vpmFd25tRqo In this advertisement, presidential candidate Barack Obama wants to address candidate McCain’s lack of understanding about the current economic system. While making that argument, the advertisement switches, to instead talk about how many houses McCain has. This may prove McCain’s wealth, but does not prove his lack of understanding about the economy.

Ad Hominem Like a red herring, the speaker introduces a new argument to divert attention and avoid the question/argument entirely. By using ad hominem, the speaker attacks the opponent’s character, or his motives for believing something, instead of disproving the argument itself. This often includes calling someone names or insults, or criticize a different issue, in an attempt to divert the conversation or argument. Example: Bob: “I think Northtown is horrible.” Sam: “You just say that because you didn’t get into Lane.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVFK8sVdJNg

Strawman Changing or exaggerating an opponent’s position or argument to make it easier to refute. This is similar to the red herring, except instead of just inserting any ole’ argument to distract, you insert an absurd argument or idea that no one, on either side of the argument, would ever support. Example: Mayor: “Due to budget cuts, our city needs to decrease the amount of money we send to our schools. We could bring it back to normal next year.” Union Leader: “Parents! Is this what you want in a mayor? Someone who is against our schools, our teachers, our children?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT_VhDrn8NY In this clip, Stephen Colbert uses a strawman fallacy when he asks if the politician supports Saddam Hussein. Of course he doesn’t. Colbert uses this for humor on his show, but many people use this as a real claim all the time.

Slippery Slope When a person asserts that one event must inevitably follow from another without any argument for why it is inevitable. It assumes one thing will lead to another. This ideation creates a cause-effect link that is often ridiculous. Example: “We have to stop the tuition increases. Next thing you know, we will be charged $40,000 a class! Example: “Why should I let you go to the bathroom? Then, everyone will want to go!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtckZ7CLBFI

Hasty Generalization Generalizing about a class based upon a small or poor sample. If the sample is too small or not representative, the generalizations drawn will be “hasty” and unreliable. This is a lot like the propaganda techniques of Assertion + Transfer Ex: “All honors students do their homework. I know an honors student who hasn’t missed one assignment yet!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKUmojvHid8 In this clip from Mean Girls, there is a generalization that all people from Africa are black. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAs3Xpq9QBs This is pretty self explanatory.