LOGICAL FALLACIES

AP English Language and Composition T. Kocan Spring 2013

FALLACY
two denotative meanings: false, erroneous statement; an untruth (matter) invalid, specious, or deceptive reasoning (mode/form) Fallacies of Matter can be detected and refuted only if we know the truth create an arsenal with facts via formal education, experience and continual learning

FALLACIES OF MATTER
Types of Fallacies of Matter: self-evident proposition=a statement that all or most people would immediately assent to once they understand the terms of the statement example: that all men are created equal true by definition = consensus defines truth example: Democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

non sequitur literally means it does not follow definition-stating a conclusion that does not follow one or both of the premises inductive/deductive reasoning example: Caroline is an infant. Infants eat Cheerios. Caroline drinks a bottle.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

oversimplification definition = supplying neat and easy explanations for large and complicated phenomena inductive/deductive reasoning example: Deporting all undocumented immigrants decreases our need for border patrol.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

hasty generalization definition = leaping to a generalization from inadequate or faulty evidence (stereotype of sorts) inductive reasoning ways in which evidence can be inadequate 1. The particulars are irrelevant. 2. The particulars may be unrepresentative. 3. The particulars may not be numerous enough to warrant the conclusion.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

hasty generalization Generalizations based on evidence can be faulty when the authority quoted is 1. biased or prejudiced 2. incompetent 3. outmoded (unreliable) If the authority is objective, competent and reliable the info may still be faulty if 1. the source is inaccurately quoted 2. the source is misinterpreted 3. the source is taken out of context

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

hasty generalization argument from doubtful or unidentified authority example: My grandmother smoked two packs of cigarettes a day from the age of fourteen until she died at the age of ninety-seven. Smoking must not be that bad for you.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

either/or reasoning black and white syndrome disjunctive propositions definition = assuming that a reality may be divided into only two parts or extremes; assuming that there are only two possible solutions deductive reasoning example: Either he voted for the candidate or he voted for the candidates opponent.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

ad hominem literally means to the man definition = attacking a persons views by attacking his/her character/switching the argument from pertinent issues to personality inductive/deductive reasoning example: My opponents arguments are very impressive, but remember, this is the man who cheated on his wife during the last election.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

begging the question circular logical petitio principii definition = repeating what is true is true/conclusion to premise to conclusion inductive/deductive reasoning example: My client would not steal because he is an honest man. (discussion of syllogistic reasoning) trigger words: obviously, of course, as everyone knows, really, and unquestionably

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

post hoc/ergo propter hoc literally means after this therefore because of this faulty causal generalization definition = based on causal relationships/cause and effect example: Our sales shot up 25 percent after we started using the musical jingle in our advertising campaign.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

post hoc/ergo propter hoc Fallacies can occur when: 1. We assign inadequate causes to an effect. 2. We do not consider multiple causes for an effect. 3. We fail to consider the same cause can produce diverse effects. You were the last one to use the dishwasher. You must have broken it.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

false analogy definition = the claim of persuasive likeness when no significant likeness exists inductive reasoning example: Where there is smoke, there is fire. comparison to cheaters, thieves, etc. This analogy never actually proves anything. It persuades according to probability. This analogy occurs when concentration on irrelevant, inconsequential similarities are made more pertinent than significant dissimilarities.

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

Red Herring (not in BR) derived from the tactic of using a red herring (fish) to lead hunting dogs away from a target, etc. It is considered a diversionary tactic. ignoring, avoiding issue to change subject and dodge the issue of importance ignoratio elenchi literally means ignorance of the refutation inductive/deductive reasoning example: You accuse me of cheating on my taxes, but doesnt everybody cheat a little?

TYPES OF LOGICAL FALLACIES

complex question (not in BR) definition = a question with two parts that is impossible to answer without incriminating or implicating oneself of wrong doing inductive/deductive reasoning example: Why did you steal the diamond ring?