Logical Fallacies Glossary
14 essential terms — because precise language is the foundation of clear thinking in Logical Fallacies.
Showing 14 of 14 terms
A fallacy that attacks the character or circumstances of the person making an argument rather than the argument itself. Latin for to the person.
A fallacy in which the conclusion is assumed or restated in the premises, providing no independent support. Also called begging the question.
The error of assuming that because an argument contains a fallacy, its conclusion must be false. Also called the argument from fallacy.
A fallacy that presents only two options as exhaustive when other possibilities exist. Also called a false dilemma.
An error in the logical structure or form of an argument, identifiable without examining the content of the premises.
A fallacy that draws a broad conclusion from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample of evidence.
An error in reasoning related to the content, context, or language of an argument rather than its logical structure.
An error in reasoning that renders an argument logically invalid or unsound, where the conclusion is not properly supported by the premises.
A conclusion that does not logically follow from the premises. Latin for it does not follow. A broad category encompassing many specific fallacies.
A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original subject of discussion.
A fallacy that argues one event will lead to a chain of increasingly extreme consequences without evidence that each step will occur.
A fallacy in which an opponent argument is misrepresented or distorted to make it easier to attack.
A fallacy in which someone responds to criticism by pointing out that the critic does the same thing. A subtype of ad hominem. Latin for you too.