Introduction to Fallacies
Definitions
1. Fallacy:
An illogical step in the formulation of an argument. For example, an argument might
use reasons that do not logically support its claim.
2. Ad hominem:
A fallacy that distorts a person's character, destroying their credibility rather than
addressing their argument.
3. Appeal to authority:
Trusting someone's argument based on their fame or power, even when they lack
expertise in the subject.
4. Appeal to fear:
A fallacy that causes the audience to fear others and seek the manipulator's
protection.
5. Appeal to pity:
Manipulation to avoid responsibility by appealing to sympathy.
6. Appeal to popular passions:
Implies the manipulator shares the audience's views to gain agreement.
7. Begging the question:
Using an argument that assumes the claim is already true without proving it.
8. False dilemma (either/or):
Assuming only two options exist when more might be available.
9. False analogy:
Using misleading comparisons to support an argument.
10. Hasty generalization:
Drawing a conclusion based on incomplete information.
11. Loaded label or definition:
Using words with strong connotations to manipulate perceptions.
12. Non sequitur:
A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises.
13. Red herring:
Introducing an emotionally charged issue to divert attention from the main topic.
14. Straw man:
Mischaracterizing an argument to make it appear weaker or more extreme than it is.
Fallacies are errors in reasoning that make an argument invalid or misleading. They can
happen when someone uses faulty logic to support their claims. Here's a quick, simple guide
to understanding them:
1. Ad hominem: Attacking the person, not their argument. Example: "You shouldn't
believe her because she's bad at math."
2. Appeal to authority: Trusting someone famous without expertise. Example: "This
product is great because a celebrity said so."
3. Appeal to fear: Scaring people to win an argument. Example: "If you don't vote for
me, your freedom will disappear!"
4. Appeal to pity: Asking for sympathy instead of addressing the issue. Example: "I
made a mistake, but my life is really tough."
5. Appeal to popularity: Assuming something is true because many people believe it.
Example: "Everyone does it, so it must be okay."
6. Begging the question: Using a claim to prove itself. Example: "I'm right because I
said so."
7. False dilemma: Presenting only two choices when more exist. Example: "You're
either with us or against us."
8. False analogy: Comparing unrelated things. Example: "Stealing candy is like starting
a war."
9. Hasty generalization: Drawing conclusions from little evidence. Example: "One bad
apple means all apples are bad."
10. Ignoring the evidence: Overlooking facts that contradict your argument. Example: "I
don’t care what proof you have; I’m still right."
11. Non sequitur: A conclusion that doesn’t logically follow. Example: "I should pass the
class because I never fail."
12. Slippery slope: Claiming one action will lead to extreme outcomes. Example: "If we
let them stay out late, they'll end up homeless!"
13. Straw man: Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack. Example: "You
support animal rights? So you want to ban pets?"
Learning these helps us avoid being tricked by bad arguments and improves our ability to
think critically.
Here are the extracted definitions and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from the file:
MCQs
1. What is a fallacy?
a) A logical and valid argument
b) A factual error in mathematics
c) An illogical step in an argument
d) A conclusion based on evidence
Answer: c) An illogical step in an argument
2. What does the term 'ad hominem' mean?
a) Attacking the person instead of their argument
b) Presenting two false choices
c) Relying on misleading statistics
d) Mischaracterizing an opponent's argument
Answer: a) Attacking the person instead of their argument
3. Which fallacy relies on someone's fame or power rather than expertise?
a) Ad hominem
b) Appeal to authority
c) Hasty generalization
d) Slippery slope
Answer: b) Appeal to authority
4. What is an example of a false dilemma?
a) "Either you agree with me, or you hate me."
b) "She’s bad at math, so her argument is invalid."
c) "This cereal improves attention by 20%!"
d) "If I give a raise to one person, the company will go bankrupt."
Answer: a) "Either you agree with me, or you hate me."
5. What fallacy involves rushing to conclusions with little evidence?
a) False analogy
b) Begging the question
c) Hasty generalization
d) Straw man
Answer: c) Hasty generalization
6. What does 'loaded label' refer to?
a) Using misleading statistics
b) Using words with emotional connotations to manipulate
c) Misleading comparisons to support a claim
d) Ignoring contradicting evidence
Answer: b) Using words with emotional connotations to manipulate
7. What is an example of a 'straw man' fallacy?
a) "If we legalize this, chaos will erupt everywhere!"
b) "You support criminal reform, so you want to free all the criminals?"
c) "I don’t know why she votes that way, but she hangs out with people who do."
d) "I avoid meetings because they brainwash people."
Answer: b) "You support criminal reform, so you want to free all the criminals?"
8. Which fallacy implies that one step leads to an extreme outcome?
a) Slippery slope
b) False analogy
c) Red herring
d) Begging the question
Answer: a) Slippery slope
9. What does 'red herring' mean?
a) Using irrelevant evidence to avoid the issue
b) Manipulating words with emotional weight
c) Presenting a false choice
d) Attacking the person’s credibility
Answer: a) Using irrelevant evidence to avoid the issue
10. What does 'non sequitur' mean?
a) An argument that assumes itself to be true
b) A conclusion that doesn't follow from its premises
c) An emotionally charged issue brought to distract
d) A false relationship between cause and effect
Answer: b) A conclusion that doesn't follow from its premises
