Debate
5 Common Logical Fallacies That Everyone Should Know
Human beings debate and discuss topics all the time. We often make arguments that are not arguments or commit some error in reasoning. We make some logical fallacies.
This is a simple guide about a few of the most common logical fallacies and how to spot them.
So, the next time someone makes an argument which does not seem to make sense, you can pinpoint exactly how their statement does not make sense.
What is a Logical Fallacy?
A Logical fallacy is an error in reasoning done unintentionally or sometimes deliberately. It is an argument in which the conclusion does not logically follow the premise or is simply irrelevant to the discussed topic.
Here are 5 Common Logical Fallacies:
- Strawman Fallacy
This fallacy occurs when your opponent oversimplifies, exaggerates, or misinterprets your argument in a way that makes it easier to argue against. They are essentially building a straw man, a simpler version of your idea and arguing against them instead of your actual argument.
Trick: In an informal setting, such as a casual conversation, the argument usually starts with “So, what you are saying is….”
Example:
You say, “I love my mother a lot.”
They respond, “So, so what you’re saying is that fathers are not important for a child?”
You did not say anything about your father, yet they assumed that.
Response:
You can respond by clarifying that the argument they are arguing against is not the same one you made.
2. Argument from Ignorance Fallacy
This is one of the most common fallacies that you will encounter.
This fallacy happens when someone asserts that because we do not know or understand something, somehow their conclusion is validated.
This usually takes the form of,
“We don’t know X, hence Y.”
Example:
“We don’t know how the pyramids were built, hence Aliens.”
There is a similar fallacy, an Argument from the Personal Incredulity fallacy. This happens when the speaker personally does not understand something, hence asserts that their conclusion must be valid.
“I don’t understand how the earth could be round, hence it must be flat.”
Response:
You can respond by pointing out how you can’t claim anything if you don’t know something.
3. Appeal to Authority Fallacy
This fallacy is prevalent in advertising. This fallacy happens when someone appeals to a false authority for a claim instead of giving evidence.
Note that it is only a fallacy if the authority appealed to is not an authority to the discussed issue.
Example:
“Nine out of ten recommend X recommend Y.”
“My uncle told me that smoking does not cause cancer, hence it doesn’t.”
Response:
An appeal to authority is not actual evidence for the claim.
4. Appeal to Populus Fallacy
This fallacy happens when someone appeals to the crowd and claims that because many believe in an argument, that argument must be valid.
Example:
This is very relevant these days.
“Everyone is investing in this crypto coin, hence I should also invest in it.”
Response
The way to counter this is to point out that the majority can be wrong. For example, many people used to believe that the earth was flat or the sun revolved around the earth.
5. Black or White Fallacy
This fallacy asserts a false dichotomy. It argues that there are only two options to a particular argument. It claims that if you don’t accept one, you must accept the other.
Example:
Former US President George W. Bush famously said, “Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.”
Response:
You can refute this by pointing out that the argument has more than two options.
Overall, logical fallacies are common errors in reasoning that can cause an argument to be flawed.
Understanding and being able to recognize these fallacies is essential for being able to evaluate ideas and make well-informed decisions critically.
It is essential to carefully consider the evidence and reasoning behind an argument rather than being swayed by appeals to emotion or attacks on the person making it.
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