an argument where the major premise is the same (maybe reworded) as the conclusion
appeal to doubtful authority
the treatment of a non-expert as an expert. celebrity endorsements use this fallacy.
stereotyping
imposing onto one person a generalization based on a group of individuals who share a common trait
false analogy
comparing two ideas or situations that are not fully comparable. these are difficult to catch sometimes because they seem so logical.
slippery slope
an argument that exaggerates the potential consequences of an event or choice. political ads or some pharmaceutical commercials.
post hoc, ergo propter hoc
an argument that credits or blames an event or situation simply because it happened prior to another event.
Latin: after this, therefore because of this
tu quoque
an argument that attempts to defeat their opponent based on hypocrisy. if the opponent cannot follow his own advice, his advice must be invalid.
Latin: you, too
equivocation
an argument that changes the definition of a word or phrase in the course of an argument
false dilemma
arguments that present only two outcomes when three or more outcomes are possible. politicians love these. these fallacies often appeal to fear.
misleading statistic
an argument that uses a fact in isolation. context is king.
