# 1

Fallacy
THE ANALOGICAL FALLACY

Definition
Concluding two things with several features in common must/probably share another feature. Changing the definition of a term used throughout the course of an argument to avoid refutation. Allowing an exception to a general rule but keeping the rule.

Problem
Some features are simply irrelevant to other features

Example
"These two people both have hair, eyes, a nose, and teeth. One of them has been to Ireland. Therefore, they probably both have been." God and the Ground of Being.

2 DEFINITIONAL RETREAT

3 THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE 4 ARGUMENTUM AD IGNORANTIAM (appeal to ignorance) 5 IGNORATIO ELENCHI

You wind up defending something different from that which you started defending If something really is a rule/law, then it has no exceptions.

The Johnsons' grandkids are all athletic. Sure, Billy couldn't hit a baseball to save his life, but he's the exception that proves the rule. "The Loch Ness Monster doesn't exist. We don't have any conclusive evidence that it does. So there!" "I should get McDonalds for dinner because my brother took out the trash." Just open Thank You For Arguing.

Claiming something is/isn't so just because it hasn't been disproved/proved. Using arguments irrelevant to your conclusion. Using humor that has no logical bearing on your arguments

This only works in certain epistemic situations. This should be obvious!

6 IRRELEVANT HUMOR

LOADED WORDS

Using vivid, valueladen terms to swing opinion.

The humor doesn't add any logical force to your arguments. At most it improves your ethos. Plays upon The abortion debate emotions.

# 8

Fallacy
ONE-SIDED ASSESSMENT

Definition
Only evaluating one side of a case. Casting a potential opponent in a bad light before they have a chance to speak. Refuting an example rather than the general idea behind the example.

Problem
Doesn't give the other side(s) a fair shot. Similar to an ad hominem

Example
Heinrichs on Intelligent Design (perhaps also guilty of A PRIORISM). "Only a moron would question my arguments." (Any takers?) God and theodicy.

POISONING THE WELL

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Refuting one REFUTING THE example EXAMPLE usually doesn't refute an entire general thesis Moving the burden The person SHIFTING THE of proof to the making claims BURDEN OF wrong side. bears the PROOF burden of proof. Applying a double It uses a SPECIAL standard to double PLEADING elements of your standard. argument Making petty, Should be TRIVIAL forceless obvious! OBJECTIONS objections to an argument. Rejecting Perfection is UNOBTAINABLE something due to rarely PERFECTION possible failure to attainable. reach perfection. Using more explanatory entities than necessary OCKHAM'S RAZOR (violation) One should not posit unnecessary explanatory entities

"Aliens exist." "Why should I think that?" "Give me one reason you shouldn't." "Who made God?"

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"I'd love to go to church more regularly, but what if the house burned down while I was gone?" "I'd like to go to Hawaii. But there's a 2% chance it'll rain at some point in our vacation. Therefore, I've decided not to go." "Sure, maybe only one person was involved in the murder. But I think there were five people: one from Australia, one with a gold tooth, one with shoes much too small for his feet, one who'd forgotten to brush his hair, and one with no middle name.

# 16

Fallacy

Definition

Problem
Should be obvious.

Example
"Ten reds in a row at roulette? Next one is bound to be black!" You only think that because your parents told you that." "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys.

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THE GAMBLER's Thinking FALLACY independent events are dependent or vice versa. GENETIC Denigrating an FALLACY argument based on its source. WISHFUL THINKING Thinking that, because something would be nice, it must be true.

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Attacks source, not necessarily argument Not all things which would be nice are in fact true.