Logical Fallacies
 

I am taking a class and in it we are discussing "Logical Fallacies". I thought in light of all the arguments here it might shed some light to put some of the information out here.

Avoid fallacies in your logic:

• False arguments from incomplete thinking or deliberate omissions

• Bare assertions unsupported by facts.

• Circular reasoning where you assume the point you need to prove.

• Oversimplification

• Either/Or statements

• Complex questions that cover up the real issue

• Strawman fallacies where the writer argues against a claim that is easily refuted

Types of fallacies that sabotage arguments:

• Red Herring fallacies that draw the reader away from the real issue

• Misuses of humor that impart a mocking tone

• Appeals to pity and emotion

• Use of threats

• Bandwagon mentality

• Appeals to popular sentiment

That covers about 90% of the threads here!

Fallacies that falsify arguments

• Appeals to ignorance

• Broad generalizations

• False causes that base claims on too little evidence

• "slippery slope" fallacies that state one action will start an unstoppable chain reaction

(I find the TV advertising "chicken little" scenario to be this)

Fallacies that misuse evidence

• Impress with numbers by drowning in statistics

• Half-truths

• Unreliable testimony

• Attack against the person

• Hypothesis contrary to facts

• False analogy

Misusing language

• Obfuscation or fuzzy, big or vague words

• Ambiguous statements

• Slanted language

This is the Cranky Lady's Thread !:bliss

For sure!! :bubble

Cranky Lady?? Uh, whatever you say, Thad. :coffee2