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