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

WHATeeeeever honey just don't hit me with that broom stick :bliss:hanky:tease:tease:tease:tease

Don't expect an intelligent conversation on this topic from many folks here. I have run into a lot that mock you and try to insult you anytime you raise this issue.

BTW I have or had some great online resources for logical fallacies. I might post the links again later

In circular reasoning, not only is the point assumed, it's often used as part of the argument in support of itself...there is another name for that...

Strawmen are not merely claims easily refuted, but they are mis characterizations of what someone really believes or has said. The Trinitarians believe in three gods and the bible says one, is a good example

Horse laughter #2, happens all the time here

#3 is Dans favorite :-) as well as a few others here

Bandwagon also happens a lot here

broad or sweeping generalizations...yep all the time

Slippery slope also happens a lot....especially in regards to the TV issue

this is one of my favorites. It uses Star Trek for its analogies and examples
http://www.thecaptainkirkpage.com/kirklogic.html

I wouldn't go accusing a lot of folks on AFF of trying to be logical. :nod

Is logic a pagan device? :tease

I was accusing them of the opposite :stirpot

BTW yes it is pagan lol....pagan philosophers probably "gave" us many or set the foundation for such....what people don't realize is that they already existed, philosophers just discovered them.

God created logic. Just as scientists discover things...they didn't invent quantum physics lol....

While your post was very good, my responses where tongue in cheek. I really meant logic is not used enough on AFF and yes I know that pagans did found some schools of thought when it comes to logic, but God created logic.

:stirpot:stirpot:stirpot:stirpot:stirpot:stirpot

This would be an ad hominem (attack on the gender of the person writing the thread) or maybe an overgeneralization because men can be cranky too! :bubble

This one is me

Misuses of humor that impart a mocking tone

Please post them when you have the time. :girlpopcorn

I'm not so sure. I'm inclined to think that logic is an aspect of how God thinks. He cannot help but be logical.

The finest resource I've found is Greg Bahnsen's course on "Critical Thinking" which cover the informal fallacies that have been discussed. He was a brilliant analytical philosopher and a great Christian. His course can be obtained in CD/tape/ and MP3.

The two text books he uses are among the best I have in my library; "With Good Reason" by S. Morris Engel and "Introduction to Logic" by Copi.

His site is http://www.cmfnow.com/index.asp?Page...S&Category=457

Thanks RD, I'll check it out. :dogkiss

I do know His thoughts are above my thoughts!

Do you think there are laws of logic just like there are laws of nature, physics, and faith?

I certainly do. Except, what do you mean by "laws"? They do not have any 'power' in and of themselves.

BTW, even though His thoughts are 'above' ours it doesn't mean that we are allowed to be any less logical then He is.

Looks like a good link. We have a lot of those things that go on here.

You are for advertising on TV therefore you must be backslid because our forefathers said we shouldn't watch it.

How many can you find in there? :)

Lean not to thine own understanding...in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths.

That's ultra-con for "Throw your logic out the window". :D

Thad's just mad at me because I criticized his Tab once. He'll get over it hopefully. :bubble

Sounds like some good stuff!

I think there are.