Fallacies
Mar 16, 2016
Fallacies
What is wrong with the following sentences?
1. I love Disneyland because I’m always happy there.
2. Everyone on the team wears Nike shoes; it’s the only way to go!
3. I love music, therefore I love the Jonas Brothers.
Objective• To understand what makes a
logical fallacy, how to catch someone when they are using one (perhaps to pull a fast-one on you), and how to avoid using them in your own writing and dialogue.
Logical Fallacy• A logical fallacy is a statement
that contains faulty reasoning. Don’t give your reader a reason to doubt your information. Persuasive writing especially requires sound logic to support opinions.
Circular Reasoning
• Supporting a statement by simply repeating it in different words.
• Teens should avoid fad diets, because it is important for adolescents to stay away from weight-loss plans.
Either / Or Fallacy• A statement that suggests that there are only 2
choices available in a situation that really offers more than 2 options.
• Either students should be allowed to go off campus for lunch to Burger King, or they should choose from the cafeteria’s food.
Oversimplification• An explanation of a complex
situation or problem as if it were much simpler than it is.
• Making the team depends on whether the coach likes you.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpqG3h6pY8
Overgeneralization• A broad generalization.• No one cares about the story.
• A little kid might say: “All birds can fly.”
Stereotyping• A dangerous type of
overgeneralization.• All girls can’t play sports. • All boys lie and cheat.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ktgBpdy99c
Attacking the person or name-calling (poisoning the well)
• An attempt to discredit an idea by attacking the person or group associated with it.
• My opponent is not smart enough to be mayor.
• She is basic. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U
g75diEyiA0&list=PL2Rf1R6EcGZTov9OQUWpwaA7xczA7cXRF
Evading the Issue• Refuting an objection with arguments and
evidence that do not address its central point.
• Yes, I broke my promise to not raise taxes, but taxes have paid for your new highways.
• Yes, I broke my promise to not raise taxes, but taxes have paid for your new highways.
• I know I am late, but you look beautiful. • What you do with your parents when you
are in trouble!
Non sequitur (post hoc)• A statement that uses irrelevant
proof to support a claim.• I know I’ll pass math. Mr. Gray is my
math teacher and my football coach.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR
JUvFG8gbE
False Cause• The mistake of assuming that
because one event occurred after another event in time, the first event caused the second to occur.
• I failed English because of football.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M
TbZoKEOkUg
False Analogy• A comparison that doesn’t hold up
because of a critical difference between the two subjects.
• She walks to school and back every day, so surely she can walk in a 10K race.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60NSO9pJyVI
Hasty Generalization• A conclusion drawn from too little
evidence or from evidence that is biased.
• That corner must be dangerous. There were two car accidents there last week.
Bandwagon Appeal• Uses the argument that a person
should believe or do something because “everyone else” does.
• The Cardinals are a winning team and everyone likes them so you should to.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLHlvb8skQ&list=PL4CC0F6415CD51AC4
Testimonial• Relies on endorsements from well-
known people or celebrities.• Proactive-Jessica Simpson• Gatorade-Michael Jordan• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq
_EZjhHaDY
Snob Appeal• Taps into people’s desire to be
special or be part of an elite group.• Treat yourself to a tropical paradise
because you deserve the best.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA
BV8Sez45s
Transfer• Connects a product, candidate, or
cause with a positive emotion or idea.
• Freedom…you can feel it the instant you put your hands on the new Jeep Wrangler.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0
Appeal to Loyalty• Relies on people’s affiliation with a
particular group• This car is made in America by
Americans.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wa_6g9WNgU
Appeals to pity, fear, or vanity• Use strong feelings rather than facts
to persuade.• Without more police, we will be at
the mercy of thieves.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92
kPKbXHqss
Glittering Generality• Makes a generalization that includes
a word or phrase with positive connotations (feelings) to promote a product or idea.
• A vote for Tom Jones is a vote for democracy!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Cz5dZOtAc