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Logical Fallacies
List of fallacies See more
Last edited: Tue, Jun 27, 2023
A fallacy is reasoning that is logically invalid, or that undermines the logical validity of an argument. All forms of human communication can contain fallacies. This is a list of well-known fallacies.
Because of their variety, fallacies are challenging to classify. They can be classified by their structure (formal fallacies) or content (informal fallacies). Informal fallacies, the larger group, may then be subdivided into categories such as improper presumption, faulty generalization, and error in assigning causation and relevance, among others.
The use of fallacies is common when the speaker's goal of achieving common agreement is more important to them than utilizing sound reasoning. When fallacies are used, the premise should be recognized as not well-grounded, the conclusion as unproven (but not necessarily false), and the argument as unsound.
en.wikipedia.org
Types of Logical Fallacies
Fallacy
Description
1
Appeal to hypocrisy
Appeal to hypocrisy is a logical fallacy where an argument is rejected because the person making it does not follow their own advice.
2
Appeal to pity
Appeal to pity is a logical fallacy in which an argument relies on the audience's emotional response rather than on evidence or reason.
3
Ad Hominem
Attacking the person making an argument instead of addressing the argument itself.
4
Ambiguity
Ambiguity is a logical fallacy where a statement or argument is unclear or has multiple meanings.
5
Anecdotal
Using personal experiences or isolated examples instead of evidence as a basis for an argument.
6
Appeal to Authority
Appeal to Authority is a logical fallacy where a statement is considered true simply because it is made by an authority figure.
7
Appeal to Emotion
Appeal to Emotion is a logical fallacy that manipulates emotions in order to win an argument.
8
Appeal to Ignorance
Appeal to Ignorance is a logical fallacy where a lack of evidence is used to support a claim.
9
Appeal to Nature
Appeal to Nature fallacy argues that natural things are better or morally superior to artificial things.
10
Bandwagon
The Bandwagon fallacy is an appeal to popularity or the belief that something must be true because many people believe it.
11
Begging the Question
Assuming the conclusion is true without presenting evidence, thereby circularly reasoning.
12
Black-or-White
Black-or-White fallacy is a false dilemma where only two options are presented as the only choices, ignoring other possibilities.
13
Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof is a logical fallacy where the burden of proof is placed on the wrong person, typically in an argument where the person making the claim should be providing the evidence.
14
Causal Fallacy
Assuming that because one event occurred before another, it must have caused it.
15
Circular Reasoning
Circular reasoning is a logical fallacy in which the argument repeats the claim as a way to provide evidence.
16
Composition/Division
Composition/Division is a logical fallacy where one assumes that what is true for one part of something is true for the whole, or that what is true for the whole is true for its parts.
17
Equivocation
Using ambiguous language to mislead or confuse in an argument.
18
False Cause
False Cause is a logical fallacy where a conclusion is drawn based on a correlation or coincidence, without sufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship.
19
False Dilemma
False Dilemma is a logical fallacy where only two options are presented, when in reality there may be other alternatives.
20
Genetic
Genetic fallacy is a logical fallacy that involves judging the validity of a claim based on its origin or history rather than its substance.
21
Hasty Generalization
Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or limited evidence.
22
Loaded Question
A question that contains an assumption or presupposition, used to lead the respondent to a particular answer.
23
Masked-Man Fallacy
Assuming that if something has different properties, then it must be a different thing, without considering the underlying similarities.
24
Middle Ground
Middle Ground fallacy occurs when it is assumed that a compromise between two extremes must be correct.
25
No True Scotsman
The "No True Scotsman" fallacy is a way of dismissing evidence that contradicts one's argument by redefining the criteria for membership in a group.
26
Non-Sequitur Fallacy
The Non-Sequitur Fallacy involves drawing a conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.
27
Personal Incredulity
Personal Incredulity is a logical fallacy where a person assumes that because they cannot understand or believe something, it must not be true.
28
Red Herring
A Red Herring is a logical fallacy that involves diverting attention away from the topic at hand.
29
Slippery Slope
Slippery Slope is a logical fallacy that assumes a chain reaction of events without sufficient evidence.
30
Special Pleading
Special Pleading is a logical fallacy where someone applies a double standard or makes an exception for themselves or someone they are fond of.
31
Strawman
Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
32
Sunk Cost Fallacy
The Sunk Cost Fallacy is the tendency to continue investing in a project or decision based on the resources already invested, rather than its current or future value.
33
The Fallacy Fallacy
Assuming an argument is false because it contains a logical fallacy.
34
The Gambler’s Fallacy
The Gambler's Fallacy is the belief that previous outcomes can influence future outcomes in a random event.
35
The Texas Sharpshooter
The Texas Sharpshooter fallacy is when someone selectively focuses on certain data and ignores other relevant information to draw a false conclusion.
36
Tu Quoque
Tu Quoque is a logical fallacy where a person attempts to discredit another person's argument or point of view by pointing out that the person making the argument is hypocritical or guilty of the same behavior.
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