Fallacies

Certain kind of defect in an argument

An argument can be defective when:

1. It has one or more false premises
2. It contains a fallacy
Kinds of fallacy
1. Formal fallacy
- Identifies through mere inspection of
the form or structure of an argument
- All A are B.
All C are B.
Therefore, all A are C
2. Informal Fallacy
- Detected only through analysis of the
content of the argument
- Makes bad argument appear good
- All A are B
All C are D
All A are D
- Backed with the motive of the arguer
to deceive the reader/listener and
sometime, the arguer deceives even
himself
Aristotle
-

Identifies 13 fallacies and separated

them into 2 groups

FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
-

1.
-

Premises are logically irrelevant to

conclusion
Premises are psychologically relevant
so conclusion seem to follow logically,
even though it does not.
Connection between premises and
conclusion is emotional thus it is
important to distinguish genuine
evidence from forms of emotional
appeal
APPEAL TO FORCE (ARGUMENTUM AD
BACULUM: APPEAL TO THE STICK)
Arguer poses a conclusion to another
person and tells the person either
implicitly or explicitly that harm will
come to him/her if he/she does not
accept the conclusion

Involves threat to
physical/psychological being
- Accomplishes purpose by
psychologically impeding
reader/listener from acknowledging a
missing premise that if acknowledged,
would be seen as false/questionable
2. APPEAL TO PITY (ARGUMENTUM AD
MISERICORDIAM)
- Arguer poses a conclusion and then
attempts to provoke pity from
reader/listener in the effort for him/her
to accept the conclusion
3. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE (ARGUMETUM
AD POPULUM)
- Uses desires to be loved, esteemed,
admired, valued etc. to get the
reader/listener to accept conclusion
o Direct approach
Arguer, addressing a
large group of people,
excites emotions and
enthusiasm of crowd to
win acceptance of his
conclusion.
Used by propagandist
and demagogue
May be in
writing/speaking
o Indirect approach
Arguer appeals to one or
more individuals
separately
Techniques in advertising
industry
Under Indirect approach:

Bandwagon argument
You will be left out
if you dont agree
to what majority
wants
Appeal to vanity
Associates product
to a celebrity that
is admired, the
idea being you too,
will be admired if
you use it
Appeal to Snobbery