Fallacy – Critical Thinking Part 4

A fallacy is simply an error in logic. There are several kinds of logic errors that can result when people try to argue a point when the facts don’t exactly support the point. So a fallacy is not bad data but a bad conclusion.

The following types of fallacies come from the Wikipedia article referenced below:

1. Fallacy of Accident – A generalization that disregards exceptions
2. Converse Fallacy of Accident – Argues that a special case is the general rule
3. Irrelevant Conclusion – Diverts attention from a fact
4. Affirming the consequent – Saying that if A = B, B = A which may not always be true in logic.  For instance: A duck is a mammal, I am a mammal, therefor I am a duck.
5. Denying the antecedent – It is like #4, only the inverse.  For instance, it is raining, therefor it is cloudy; it is not raining, therefor it is not cloudy.
6. Begging the question – A conclusion on premises that assume the conclusion.
7. Fallacy of False Cause or Non Sequitur – Incorrectly assuming one thing is the cause of another.
8. Fallacy of Many Questions or Loaded Question – Groups more than one question in the form of a single question.
9. Straw Man – Incorrect logic based on a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position

Please review the following resources for more information:

• Fallacy – Wikipedia
• Encyclopedia of Logical Fallacies
• Fallacies – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Top 20 Logical Fallacies – The Skeptic’s Guide To The Universe

Popular books on fallacies by Amazon.com:

• How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic
• Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders
• Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion
• Being Logical: A Guide to Good Thinking