Logical Fallacy
A logical fallacy refers to an error in reasoning that weakens or invalidates an argument.
A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning. Logical fallacies are like tricks or illusions of thought, and they’re often very sneakily used by politicians and the media to fool people.
Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim. Avoid these common fallacies in your own arguments and watch for them in the arguments of others.
I really want to study this because I want to think better and more clearly in the pursuit of the Truth.
Wow, understanding all these logical fallacies really open up my eyes to all the errors in thinking over the years. Also see Cognitive Bias.
What I really need to write down is how I can overcome these fallacies. Just recognizing them is not enough. Someone who is extremely good with coming up with counterexamples on the spot is Destiny.
- So basically, you use another fallacy to illustrate how ridiculous that conclusion is.
- But be careful getting accused of “you can’t make that comparison, it’s not the same thing!” Something like Strawman Fallacy, or Reduction to absurdity. Also, don’t make the mistake of Correlation vs Causation Fallacy, your example might be correlation
Example
“I don’t wear a mask and I am still fine”. Therefore, it shows that I actually don’t need a mask.
Response: There are people who spend their whole lives drunk driving without consequences. Is this how you evaluate a situation?
I think the best way to catch someone when they use logical fallacies is not to directly call them out? Rather, be aware of it, and set up traps, and catch them. They will look like fools.
I was talking with the SPCOM223 teacher about this. I think the point of pointing out logical fallacies is that when one attempts to make a logical argument and uses a logical fallacy. However, an Argument does not only consist of logic. There is also Ethos (appeal to authority) and Pathos (appeal to emotions). However, presenting these as a logical argument is wrong.
Sources:
- https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/logic_in_argumentative_writing/fallacies.html
- https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/common-logical-fallacies
- https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/search
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies
- https://markmanson.net/logical-fallacies#begging-the-question
The teacher recommended this 14-min video, I never actually watched it.
Fallacies
list from #fallacy
sort title- Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question)
- No True Scotsman Fallacy
- Alphabet Soup
- Anecdotal Evidence Fallacy
- Argument from Hearsay
- Strawman Fallacy
- Correlation vs Causation Fallacy (Magical Thinking)
- The Bandwagon Fallacy (Appeal to Common Belief)
- Appeal to Authority Fallacy
- The False Dilemma Fallacy
- Hasty Generalization Fallacy
- The Slothful Induction Fallacy
- The Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy
- Gambler’s Fallacy
- Reasoning that, in a situation that is pure random chance, the outcome can be affected by previous outcomes. Ah, this is talked about in Statistics
- The Middle Ground Fallacy (Argument to Moderation)
- Personal Incredulity Fallacy
- Ad Hominem Fallacy
- Burden of Proof Fallacy
- Fallacy Fallacy (wow, this is big brain)
- Red Herring Fallacy
- Lump of Labour Fallacy