Recognizing Logical

Fallacies
A logical fallacy is a
mistake in logical
thinking; it is a MENTAL
TRAP

LookingattheNegativeSpace
We can learn much
about logic by studying
that which is not logical
examples of where logic
breaks down, logical
fallacies.

1. Over-generalization
Drawing too wide a conclusion
from the given facts
Example:
All kids cause trouble.
Timmy is a kid.
Therefore, Timmy causes trouble.

Fixthisbyrecognizingqualifiers
(many,few,some,all,etc.)

2.ArguinginCircles
Def: Supporting an opinion not with evidence but
with the same opinion, slightly disguised (restating
the argument in different words). Using the word
youre defining in the definition is a classic example.
Example:
Education is important for kids, so they should get
an education.
Everybody likes ice cream because it is liked by
all.
Belligerently means in a belligerent way.

Fixitbymakingsureyouaregivingsupport,notjust
repeatingtheidea.Neverusethewordyoure
defininginthedefinition.

3.Black&WhiteThinking
Def.Anopinionthatclaimsthereareonly
twoalternatives(whentheremightbemore)
Examples:
Youreeitherforitoragainstit.
Areyouajockoranerd?

Fixthisbyrememberingthattheworldisa
complicatedplaceandthatonmostissues
therearemanyalternatives.

4.RedHerring
Def.Presentinganirrelevanttopictodivert
attentionawayfromtheoriginalissue.
AlsoknownasAdhominem:getting
personalasyoudiscreditsomeone.
Examples:
Whatdoyouknow?Yourejustakid.
IgotanF.Mr.Xhatesme.

Fixthisbystayingfocusedonthetopic;

watchoutforthosewhodont.

5.LoadedQuestionsand
Statements
Def.Aquestionorastatementthat
concealsanopinionorassumption.
Examples:
Doyoustillbeatyourdog?
Youdontthinkthat,doyou?
Allintelligentpeopleagreethat

Fixthisbylisteningcarefullyand
separatingfactfromopinion.

6.StatisticalFallacies
&FalseAuthority
Def.Peopleusuallybelieveinnumbersandexperts
withoutquestioningthem.Herestatisticsareusedto
misrepresentratherthandescribe.
Examples:
3outof4dentistspreferCrest.(DidCrestpickthedentists?)
Isurveyed100peopleandtheyallagreedwithme.(Ichosemy
friends).
Dr.Xsaysthisisthefastestandsafestwaytoloseweight.(Did
he/shegetpaid?Wheredotheypractice?)
Fixthisbyanalyzingtheevidence.Wheredidthesupportcome
from?Isthereselfinterestinvolved?Didyougetthewhole

picture?

7.FaultyCausalRelationship
(alsocalledPostHoc)
Def.Toexcuseanactionorbeliefbymakingitsound
sensible.Oftenthisassumesthatanythingthatcame
beforeaneventcausedittohappen.
Example:
Istolethetowelfromthehotel.Theyexpectpeopletotake
them.
Eating5energybarsanddrinking2Cokeshelpsmegetbetter
grades.IdidthisandgotanAonmyhistorytest.

Fixthisbyexaminingtherelationshipbetweenideas.
Makesurethefactsprecedethetheoryandthereasons
precedeandcausethebelief.

8.MisleadingComparison
Def.Mistakenlybelievingthattwo
situationsorpeoplecanbecompared.
Examples:
Jilllooksgoodinred.Illbuyredpants,too.
Forcingstudentstoreadbooksislikeherding
cattletoslaughter.
Yougavehimextratimeonthetest,soIshould
getextratimetoo.
SaddamHussienisHitler.

Fixthisbyrememberingthateveryperson

andsituationhasdifferentcircumstances.

9.Bandwagon
Def.Lotsofpeopledothis,soyoushould,
too.
Examples:
Adultsaresmoking,soitisoktodoso.
TheAmericanpeopledonotstandfor...

Fixthisbymakingdecisionsbasedonfacts,
notpopularity.