Logical Fallacies

• Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that invalidate an argument.
• • False Dilemma – It occurs when the arguer presents his / her arguments as one of the only two options despite the presence of multiple possibilities or options. (Narrowing down the options)

  Eg:

  Child to parent: Either you buy me this new book, or you decide that reading is not important at all.
• • Appeal to Ignorance – It occurs when something is instantly concluded although the argument was not yet proven to be true or false. (Jumping to conclusion)

  Eg:

  No one can actually prove that God exists; therefore, God does not exist.
• • Slippery Slope – It occurs when an exaggerated and superficial series of events were drawn out from a simple argument. (Overreacting to an argument)

  Eg:

  If we ban computer shops, then students will not be able to do research. If they do not have a tool for research, these students will fail their subjects.
• • Appeal to Force – It occurs when a threat is used instead of reasoning.

  Eg:

  If you do not admit that evolution is not real, we will isolate you from the group.
• • Appeal to Pity – It occurs when the element of pity is used instead of reasoning.

  Eg:

  Please do not fire me for being absent all month. I have a sick mother and a special child to support.
• • Bandwagon - It occurs when the argument was accepted or was considered to be valid since the “majority” agrees and believes in it.

  Eg:

  Most Filipino wants to have fair skin because they think they look beautiful. Therefore, having fair skin must be the real standard of beauty.
• • Attacking the Person – It occurs when someone tries to refute an argument by attacking the character of the person instead of attacking the argument itself.

  Eg:

  I cannot accept your argument because unlike me, you were not educated at Harvard University.
• • Appeal to Authority – It occurs when the arguer or the argument quotes an expert who is not qualified in the given subject matter.

  Eg:

  Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, recommends the effective fabric softening properties of Downy fabric softener.
• • Anonymous Authority – It occurs when the authority in question was not named or mentioned.

  Eg:

  Experts claim that eating peanuts causes pimples.
• • Hasty Generalization – It occurs when a sample is not enough to draw a generalization for a certain population. (Stereotyping)

  Eg:

  Martha, the foreigner from France, is very impolite. French people are mean and rude.
• Evaluative statement

  • offers valid judgment, given on a set of standards. It explains why strength is a strength and a weakness is a weakness.
• Formulate Assertions about the content and the properties of a text

  • An assertion is an approach involving a strong declaration of an argument. You examine the ideas whether it is a fact or opinion, make inferences or conclusions, assess the overall context.
•  Formulate Counterclaim in response to a claim made in the text read

  • A counterclaim is a claim made to refute an existing claim. With the knowledge of 'alternative view', it must be supported with valid evidence.