Common Logical Fallacies Auburn University常见逻辑谬误奥本大学.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * Common Logical Fallacies Flawed Arguments Logical Fallacies… Flaws in an argument Often subtle Learning to recognize these will: Strengthen your own arguments Help you critique other’s arguments Hasty Generalization A generalization based on insufficient or unrepresented evidence Deaths from drug overdoses in Metropolis have doubled over the last three years. Therefore, more Americans than ever are dying from drug abuse. Non Sequitur (Does Not Follow) A conclusion that does not follow logically from preceding statements or that is based on irrelevant data. Mary loves children, so will make an excellent school teacher. False Analogy The assumption that because two things are alike in some respects, they are alike in others. If we put humans on the moon, we should be able to find a cure for the common cold. “Either… or” Fallacy The suggestion that only two alternatives exist when in fact there are more. Either learn how to program a computer, or you won’t be able to get a decent job after college. False Cause (Post Hoc, Coincidence vs. Causality) The assumption that because one event follows another, the first is the cause of the second. Since Governor Smith took office, unemployment for minorities in the state has decreased by seven percent. Governor Smith should be applauded for reducing unemployment among minorities. Circular Reasoning/ Begging the Question (Unsupported Assertion) An argument in which the writer, instead of applying evidence simply restates the point in other language. Students should not be allowed to park in lots now reserved for faculty because those lots should be for faculty only. Bandwagon Appeal (Ad Populum) A claim that an idea should be accepted because a large number of people favor it or believe it to be true. Everyone knows that smoking marijuana is physically addictive and psychologically harmful. Argument to the Person (Ad Hominem) An attack on the person proposing an argument rather than on the argum