Ten Common Logical Fallacies

Ad Hominum Attack

Attacking the person making an argument directly rather than criticizing the argument itself.

Straw Man Argument

Attacking a distorted version of the original argument that has been created by the attacker.

Appeal to Authority

Asserting that something must be true because it is backed up by someone who is allegedly an authority on the subject.

Slippery Slope Argument

Taking an argument from the first sensible premise to an undesirable or extreme conclusion via a number of hastily connected steps.

Bandwagon Fallacy

When something is said to be true or good simply because it is popular.

Appeal to Ignorance

When it is said that an argument must be true of it cannot be proven false, or false if it cannot be proven true.

False Dilemma

When two choices are presented as the only possible options when in fact other alternatives exist.

Hasty Generalization

When a general conclusion is drawn based on a sample size that is too small.

Red Herring

When someone deliberately attempts to move the issue under discussion to a new, irrelevant topic.

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