Term | Definition |
Ad Hominem Abusive | Arguments that attempt to avoid the issue by insulting an opponent with abusive language. |
Ad Hominem Circumstantial | Arguments that try to discredit an oppenent because of his background, affiliations, or self-interest in the matter at hand. |
Tu Quoque | Arguments that assume that a rival's recommendation should be discounted because the rival does not always follow it himself. |
Genetic Fallacy | Arguments that state that an idea should be discounted simply because of its source or origin. |
Appeal to Fear
(Argumentum Ad Baculum) | Arguments that distract by making the audience afraid of the consequences of disagreeing with the speaker. |
Appeal to Pity
(Argumentum Ad Misericordiam) | Arguments that distract by making the audience feel sorry for the speaker or someone on behalf of whom the speaker is arguing. |
Mob Appeal
(Argumentum Ad Populum) | Arguments that distract by making the audience want to be part of the crowd or one of the "common people". |
Snob Appeal | Arguments that distract by making the audience want to feel "special". |
Appeal to Illegitimate Authority
(Argumentum ad Verecundiam) | Arguments that distract by attempting to shame the listener into agreement by citing an illegitimate authority. |
Chronological Snobbery | Arguments that distract by making the audience want to either be a part of an old tradition or of the latest cool, new thing. |
Appeal to Ignorance | Arguments that claim that since a proposition cannot be disproven, it must therefore be true or likely. |
Irrelevant Goals or Functions | Arguments that distract by measuring a plan or policy according to goals it wasn't intended to achieve. |
Irrelevant Thesis | Arguments that distract by making a case for the wrong point. |
Straw Man Fallacy | Arguments that attempt to disprove an opponent's position by presenting it in an unfair, inaccurate light. |