Logical Fallacies Prepared by Laura Dickey

Irrelevance Using non-pertinent information to draw a conclusion This can come in many forms, but here are a few I've seen lately: "Studies have found trace amounts of arsenic in baby formula." "Newt Gingrich claims that he was a close friend of Ronald Reagan, but, in his memoirs, Reagan mentioned Gingrich only once."

Smokescreen Occurs when an opponent offers too many details in order either to obscure the point of an argument or to cover-up counter- evidence

Non-sequitur When a conclusion is supported only by extremely weak reasons or by irrelevant reasons

Argumentum ad hominem When someone attempts to counter an argument by making an irrelevant personal attack on the person making the argument.

Tu quoque A type of ad hominem argument where an opponent uses inconsistencies between the proponent's conclusion and his or her previous actions

Double Standard Occurs when a conclusion is reached by judging to equals by different standards

Glittering Generality Emotionally appealing words so closely associated with highly-valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason

Bandwagon Suggesting that someone’s claim is correct simply because it’s what most everyone believes

Post hoc ergo proctor hoc Assuming that because event A occurred before event B, event A caused event B

Fallacy Funeral Guidelines Make a memorial slide show of the fallacy you want to put to rest (You will use anthropomorphism—describe in human terms, a personification so to speak) First Slide: Name of fallacy and life dates with picture

Second Slide: Special moments from its life where you will let pictures and brief captions as needed show the following:  Who the fallacy was around (similar fallacies if any, as well as the logical thinking beings that would replace the fallacy—logic is always hanging around fallacy trying to get in)  Where it spent time (schools, congress, advertisements, essays, etc)  Its activities or what it often did (blurred clear thinking, jumped to conclusions, joined groups, took sides, got off focus, etc) Fallacy Funeral Guidelines (Continued)

Fallacy Funeral Guidelines (Continued) Third Slide: Any special quotes, words from family (that’s you) if you wish. Include appropriate music for the slide show if you find some that fits your fallacy. Helpful Links: