An ad hominem argument is one that focuses on a person. It attacks the source of an argument in order to discredit the argument; for example, “Joe’s argument against drinking and driving doesn’t carry much weight, because Joe himself is an alcoholic.”

Any attempt to establish a claim by appealing to an expert or someone who supposedly has special expertise. It is legitimate only when the person is actually an expert.

Asserting that a claim should be believed because no one has been able to prove it false

A special form of appeal to authority fallacy that appeals to the false authority of popular opinion or popular acceptance.

A special form of appeal to authority fallacy that appeals to the false authority of traditional practice or long-standing belief

The fallacy of using the conclusion of an argument as a premise.

Complex Question Fallacy

A question that contains a controversial assumption, for example, “Why are Philosophy majors so smart?” Sometimes called a loaded question

An argument that presents its conclusion as the moderate or middle-of-the-road or compromise position, and claims that because the conclusion is moderate, that is a good reason for accepting the conclusion

Claim that is literally true, but which leaves out important information that would alter the significance of the claim

An argument that uses premises that have no bearing on the conclusion, but only distract from the real issue. Also known as the ‘red herring’ fallacy.

Questionable Cause Fallacy

The fallacy of supposing that because event A is followed by event B, or because there is a correlation between the two phenomena, the second is caused by the first

The fallacy of modifying a claim in such a way that it is made empty of real content – transforming an empirical claim into a claim that is true by definition, or vacuously true.

Slippery Slope Fallacy

Arguing that a proposed act or policy that looks harmless will (definitely) lead to very undesirable consequences

The fallacy of distorting, exaggerating, or misrepresenting an opponent’s position in order to make it easier to attack.

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Logical Fallacies

Term	Definition
Ad Hominem	An ad hominem argument is one that focuses on a person. It attacks the source of an argument in order to discredit the argument; for example, “Joe’s argument against drinking and driving doesn’t carry much weight, because Joe himself is an alcoholic.”
Appeal to Authority	Any attempt to establish a claim by appealing to an expert or someone who supposedly has special expertise. It is legitimate only when the person is actually an expert.
Appeal to Ignorance	Asserting that a claim should be believed because no one has been able to prove it false
Appeal to Popularity	A special form of appeal to authority fallacy that appeals to the false authority of popular opinion or popular acceptance.
Appeal to Tradition	A special form of appeal to authority fallacy that appeals to the false authority of traditional practice or long-standing belief
Begging the Question	The fallacy of using the conclusion of an argument as a premise.
Complex Question Fallacy	A question that contains a controversial assumption, for example, “Why are Philosophy majors so smart?” Sometimes called a loaded question
Golden Mean	An argument that presents its conclusion as the moderate or middle-of-the-road or compromise position, and claims that because the conclusion is moderate, that is a good reason for accepting the conclusion
Half Truth	Claim that is literally true, but which leaves out important information that would alter the significance of the claim
Irrelevant Reason	An argument that uses premises that have no bearing on the conclusion, but only distract from the real issue. Also known as the ‘red herring’ fallacy.
Questionable Cause Fallacy	The fallacy of supposing that because event A is followed by event B, or because there is a correlation between the two phenomena, the second is caused by the first
Self-Sealing Fallacy	The fallacy of modifying a claim in such a way that it is made empty of real content – transforming an empirical claim into a claim that is true by definition, or vacuously true.
Slippery Slope Fallacy	Arguing that a proposed act or policy that looks harmless will (definitely) lead to very undesirable consequences
Strawman Fallacy	The fallacy of distorting, exaggerating, or misrepresenting an opponent’s position in order to make it easier to attack.

Created by: emma.thornton

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