Logical Fallacies
FALLACIES
Error in reasoning
False belief
Faulty Cause (post hoc ergo propter
hoc)
Assumes that if one thing
follows another, it was
already caused by the other.
A occurs before B
Therefore, B is caused by A
Joan is scratched by a cat while
visiting her friend. Two days later
she comes down with a fever. Joan
concludes that the cat's scratch
must be the cause of her illness.
The picture on Jim's old TV set
goes out of focus. Jim goes over
and strikes the TV soundly on the
side and the picture goes back
into focus. Jim tells his friend that
hitting the TV fixed it.
Sweeping Generalization (dicto
simpliciter)
Assumes that if what is true in
whole will also be true in part
Jason must be poor because he
studies in PUP. PUP is known for
having economically challenged
students.
Id like to hire you but you are an
ex-criminal. Statistics show that
80% of ex-criminals recidivate.
Hasty Generalization
Assumes that if what is true in
part will also be true in whole
Jason has lied to me. I couldnt
trust men anymore.
Starbucks handcrafted drinks are
too sweet. One only needs to
taste their macchiato to conclude
that they are using a lot of syrup.
Faulty Analogy
Killing activists during the Martial
Assumes that if two things are
law is necessary to establish
alike in some known respects,
order. After all, you cant make an
they will also be alike in some
omelette without breaking some
unknown respects.
eggs.
The practice of pocketing some of
the peoples money should be
excused. Its like a sneeze that
one could not repress.
Faulty Sign
Wrongly assumes that a sign
or a phenomenon is an
indicator or predictor of
another event or
phenomenon
He is donned with many tattoos
from head to toe. He must be an
ex-convict.
Mr. Reyes is a politician.
Therefore, we can also say that he
is a thief.
Ad Hominem
Refutes the argument by
attacking the personality of
the arguer.
How can Hilary please America if
she cant even please her
husband?
You cant believe his advocacy for
human rights. That man was a
murderer.
Ad Baculum
Refutes the argument by
using force as means of
justification. Might is right.
If you will support abortion, you
will rot in hell.
Dont you dare disagree with my
lecture, I will deduct points from
your grade.
Tu Quoque
Refutes the argument by
pointing to a similar error
committed by another
How can you tell me not to do
drugs when you drink and smoke
alcohol?
The teachers have no right to
implement school regulations on
students if some of them are not
following the regulations
themselves.
Tautology
Rationale of the argument is a
restatement of the conclusion
The Bible is the word of God. We
know this because the Bible says
so.
You are a disagreeable person. If
you disagree with me on this, it
will only prove how disagreeable
you are.
Appeal to Tradition
We shouldnt challenged timehonored customs and
traditions.
Since ancient of times, the role of
women is to bear and rear
children. Therefore, it is unlawful
for a woman to refuse having
kids.
You should wear a white gown to
your wedding because it has been
a tradition for women to wear
white gowns on the day of their
marriage.
Appeal to Popularity
Uses the sentiments of the
majority to win an argument
One should legalize the use of
Marijuana because everyone is
doing it
Ms. Hannahs test is extremely
hard. Ask anyone who has taken
it.
Appeal to Pity
Distracts truth through the
use of pity
Please give me a passing grade. My
parents rely on me and I cant let
them down.
Vote for Alma Moreno because she
has been mistreated and humiliated
by Karen Davila in her interview.
Slippery Slope
If the Supreme Court allows abortion,
Suggests that if one action is
next think you know they'll allow
taken, it will result to an
euthanasia, and it won't be long
invariable of undesirable
before society disposes of all those
outcomes
persons whom it deems unwanted or
undesirable.
We have to stop the tuition increase!
The next thing you know, they'll be
charging 100,000 php a semester!
Dubious Authority
Uses unqualified authority to
support a claim
AKARI light bulbs are sure to last
long. The basketball MVP Kiefer
Ravena endorses it.
The theory of relativity is a sham.
According to Prof. Newkins, an
English professor at Harvard, .
Red Herring
Accused by his wife of cheating at a
game of cards, Ned replies, nothing
I do ever pleases you. I spent all last
week repainting the bathroom, and
then you said you didn't like the
Derailing an argument by
color."
diverting or fogging the issue
I think there is great merit in making
the requirements stricter for the
students. I recommend that you
support it, too. After all, we are in a
budget crisis and we do not want our
salaries affected
GUIDED PRACTICE
TU QUOQE
AD
HOMINEM
FAULTY
ANALOGY
APPEAL TO
PITY
DUBIOUS
AUTHORITY
RED
HERRING
AD BACULUM
FAULTY
CAUSE
SWEEPING
GENERALIZATI
ON
SLIPPERY
SLOPE
HASTY
GENERALIZATI
ON
APPEAL TO
POPULARITY
FAULTY SIGN
TAUTOLOGY
APPEAL TO
TRADITION
Independent Practice
