Speaking informally A Review of the informal fallacies

Appeal to Authority Philosophy is a most important discipline to study, Mr. Jenny says so.

Card-Stacking Forgetful Induction In the past, scientists (who were in the employ of the tobacco companies) who attempted to study links between the smoking of tobacco products and cancer, “could find no causal connection” between smoking and cancer.

Bandwagon Appeal to Popularity I want to buy a Honda Civic. It’s the best selling car in Canada. All those people must know something about the quality of those cars.

Glittering Generalities “Pure, fresh, mountain spring water. Bottled especially for you in Utah from only our purest mountain springs.”

Personal Attack Ad Hominem Francis Bacon's philosophy should be dismissed since Bacon was removed from his chancellorship for dishonesty.

Straw Man Bill Clinton: "We want to build a bridge to the future. Bob Dole talks about building a bridge to the past."

Post Hoc False Cause People who contracted malaria often went out at night before they contracted the disease. Therefore, night air causes malaria. (People actually thought this.)

Begging the Question or Circular Argument “I believe in alien spaceships. How else would the aliens get here. That’s why there must be alien spaceships.”

Begging the Question or Circular Argument “Free trade will be good for this country. The reason is patently clear. Isn't it obvious that unrestricted commercial relations will bestow on all sections of this nation the benefits which result when there is an unimpeded flow of goods between countries?”

False Dichotomy False Dilemma Either we reduce our public spending or our economy will collapse.

Guilt by Association All communists are civil rights supporters. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a civil rights supporter. Therefore, Martin Luther King, Jr. is a communist.

Argument from Ignorance Dan Rather was accused of using forged documents to discredit President George W. Bush. Rather couldn't prove the documents weren't forgeries, but that doesn't prove that they were.

Appeal to Emotion - Pity

Appeal to Emotion –Fear / Threat Communism is wrong. If you disagree, I’ll prosecute you as a traitor.

Equivocation Reporter: “… who’s playing first?” Manager: “Yes.” Reporter: “I mean the fellow’s name on first base.” Manager: “Who.”

Amphiboly Sign in a restaurant: (honestly! Wimpey’s in Burlington) “Women in low-cut blouses will be looked down upon in this establishment.”

Misplaced Accent Sign on a new development in Milton: Up to $36,000 Cash Back!

Composition Human cells are invisible to the naked eye. Humans are made up of human cells. Therefore, Humans are invisible to the naked eye.

Division A colony of ants can destroy a tree. Therefore, this ant can destroy this tree.