Logical Fallacies 10/24/07

What is a fallacy? Fal*la*cy | ˈ faləsē| noun ( pl. -cies)  a mistaken belief, esp. one based on unsound argument : the notion that the camera never lies is a fallacy. ･  Logic a failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid. Fal*la*cy | ˈ faləsē| noun ( pl. -cies)  a mistaken belief, esp. one based on unsound argument : the notion that the camera never lies is a fallacy. ･  Logic a failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

174--Say What?!  There are over 174 different types of logical fallacies. We will discuss 5 of them today.   Ad Hominem  Post hoc  Strawman  Bandwagon  Emotional Appeal  There are over 174 different types of logical fallacies. We will discuss 5 of them today.   Ad Hominem  Post hoc  Strawman  Bandwagon  Emotional Appeal

Ad Hominem  This argument is when you make a personal attack on your opponent. The fallacy lies in the assumption that the attack destroys your opponent’s argument.  Example: What she says about Johannes Kepler's astronomy of the 1600's must be just so much garbage. Do you realize she's only fourteen years old?  This argument is when you make a personal attack on your opponent. The fallacy lies in the assumption that the attack destroys your opponent’s argument.  Example: What she says about Johannes Kepler's astronomy of the 1600's must be just so much garbage. Do you realize she's only fourteen years old?

Ad Hominem  In order for an argument to be labeled “Ad Hominem” the attack must be irrelevant. Attacking someone for their immoral sexual practices during a debate about mathematical equations is irrelevant. Ergo: Ad Hominem Attacking someone for their immoral sexual practices during a debate over which opponent should be elected to the school board.  In order for an argument to be labeled “Ad Hominem” the attack must be irrelevant. Attacking someone for their immoral sexual practices during a debate about mathematical equations is irrelevant. Ergo: Ad Hominem Attacking someone for their immoral sexual practices during a debate over which opponent should be elected to the school board.

Post Hoc  This argument is when you make an assumption that because B happened after A, therefore, A caused B. Example: You were the last to use the telephone. Then the phone stopped working, therefore you broke the telephone.

Straw Man  This argument happens when you twist or distort your opponent’s view, ignoring their actual argument. Or you take your opponent’s weakest argument and you exaggerate it. Example: The Democrats’ insistence on pulling the troops from Iraq is a sheer disregard for the safety of both the countries of Iraq and America. It is ideology such as theirs that perpetuates terrorism.

Bandwagon  This argument happens when you to convince your opponent that he or she is the only one who disagrees with your point of view. EVERYONE else agrees with your point of view. Example: You’re not going to the party? You have to go to the party! Everyone will be there!

Emotional Appeal  This argument is when you try to manipulate your reader’s emotions. You try to get them to agree with your point of view by using emotions rather than using facts and logical reasoning. Example: You want to convince your mother to let you borrow the car. Instead of listing good reasons that are valid and logical (such as you will be a responsible and careful driver), you appeal to your mother’s guilt by saying “Remember, you let my brother borrow the car more than me!”

Create your own examples  With a partner, take a look at advertisements, news articles, etc online. See if you can locate examples of each type of argument. OR see if you can create your own examples.