Logical fallacies
A logical fallacy is a flaw in the structure of an argument: the conclusion doesn’t follow from the reasons given, however convincing it may sound. Here are 17 common ones.
- Logical Fallacy
Slippery Slope
Claiming one small step will inevitably lead to extreme consequences.
- Logical Fallacy
Hasty Generalization
Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.
- Logical Fallacy
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
"After this, therefore because of this".
- Logical Fallacy
Genetic Fallacy
Judging something solely on its origin rather than current merit.
- Logical Fallacy
Petitio Principii
"Assuming the initial point".
- Logical Fallacy
Begging the Claim
Presenting a controversial or unproven claim as if it were already established fact.
- Logical Fallacy
False Dilemma
Presenting only two options when others exist.
- Logical Fallacy
Ad Hominem
"To the person".
- Logical Fallacy
Ad Populum
"To the people".
- Logical Fallacy
Red Herring
Introducing an irrelevant topic or issue to divert attention away from the original subject of discussion.
- Logical Fallacy
Straw Man
Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack.
- Logical Fallacy
Moral Equivalence
When someone suggests that two significantly different actions, situations, or behaviors are morally the same or comparable, despite clear differences in scale, context, or severity.
- Logical Fallacy
Appeal to Authority
Using an authority figure's opinion as evidence even when they have no expertise in the relevant field.
- Logical Fallacy
Appeal to Emotion
Manipulating emotions to win an argument rather than using valid reasoning.
- Logical Fallacy
Tu Quoque
"You also".
- Logical Fallacy
Burden of Proof
Claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false.
- Logical Fallacy
No True Scotsman
Redefining a group to exclude counterexamples.