Attacking someone's character rather than addressing their argument

Affirming the consequent

Taking a true statement and then invalidly inferring its converse. A consequent means what comes after the 'then' in an 'if/then' statement

Using personal experience or an isolated incident to make general claims. Cigarettes aren't harmful, my grandpa is 100.

Using opinions of authority figures or institutions as justification rather than examining their arguments. All scientists support genetic modification and so should you

Emphasizing gaps in knowledge to avoid taking action in the face of compelling evidence. We don't know enough about it so you shouldn't do it.

Claiming that because something is natural, it is valid, justified, or safe

AKA arguing in a circle. Framing a question or statement in a way that presumes a particular conclusion

Presenting two mutually exclusive 'either/or' options as the only possibilities

Assuming that sinister groups are hiding the truth. Linked with furtive fallacy, the idea that reality is hidden and ignored.

Also called spurious correlation. The assumption that, because similar patters can be found in data, then things are related and/or casual

Also called argument to moderation. Stating that a compromise between two extremes is the truth

Non-sequitur (it doesn't flow

Stating a conclusion that doesn't follow from previous points. This is also called a red herring, as it is used to redirect people's focus away from an issue

Claiming that if we let A happen, then Z will inevitably happen

Making absurd caricatures of someone else's views to dismiss their views outright

Literary character from Ancient Greece. Offered travellers a place to sleep but then fit them to the bed by cutting off their body parts or stretching them.

Metaphor for arbitrary standard used to measure success while completely disregarding obvious harm that results from effort. Term used to describe limitations of extreme or naive rationalism

Two main scientific research methods

Hypothetico-deductive and empirico-inductive

Hypothetico-deductive

Test the validity of hypothesized theory using predictions and observations. Modify hypothesis based on new knowledge. Biology and comp scie

Usually social sciences. Gather data (quantitative/qualitative) to elaborate theories and conclusions

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Logical Fallacies

Question	Answer
Ad Hominem	Attacking someone's character rather than addressing their argument
Affirming the consequent	Taking a true statement and then invalidly inferring its converse. A consequent means what comes after the 'then' in an 'if/then' statement
Anecdotal	Using personal experience or an isolated incident to make general claims. Cigarettes aren't harmful, my grandpa is 100.
Appeal to authority	Using opinions of authority figures or institutions as justification rather than examining their arguments. All scientists support genetic modification and so should you
Appeal to ignorance	Emphasizing gaps in knowledge to avoid taking action in the face of compelling evidence. We don't know enough about it so you shouldn't do it.
Appeal to nature	Claiming that because something is natural, it is valid, justified, or safe
Bandwagon	Appealing to popularity
Begging the question	AKA arguing in a circle. Framing a question or statement in a way that presumes a particular conclusion
Black or white	Presenting two mutually exclusive 'either/or' options as the only possibilities
Conspiracy	Assuming that sinister groups are hiding the truth. Linked with furtive fallacy, the idea that reality is hidden and ignored.
False Cause	Also called spurious correlation. The assumption that, because similar patters can be found in data, then things are related and/or casual
Middle Ground	Also called argument to moderation. Stating that a compromise between two extremes is the truth
Non-sequitur (it doesn't flow	Stating a conclusion that doesn't follow from previous points. This is also called a red herring, as it is used to redirect people's focus away from an issue
Slippery slope	Claiming that if we let A happen, then Z will inevitably happen
Straw man	Making absurd caricatures of someone else's views to dismiss their views outright
Procrustes	Literary character from Ancient Greece. Offered travellers a place to sleep but then fit them to the bed by cutting off their body parts or stretching them.
Procrustean bed	Metaphor for arbitrary standard used to measure success while completely disregarding obvious harm that results from effort. Term used to describe limitations of extreme or naive rationalism
Two main scientific research methods	Hypothetico-deductive and empirico-inductive
Hypothetico-deductive	Test the validity of hypothesized theory using predictions and observations. Modify hypothesis based on new knowledge. Biology and comp scie
Empirico-inductive	Usually social sciences. Gather data (quantitative/qualitative) to elaborate theories and conclusions

Created by: user-1996284

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