Fallacies from Love is a Fallacy (and additional fallacy handout)

Fallacy: A mistaken or illogical idea; error in reason

Logic: The science of thinking

Dicto Simpliciter: an argument based on an unqualified generalization. Exercise is good.

Therefore, everyone should exercise. (Heart patients shouldnt exercise)

Hasty Generalization: too few instances to support the conclusion. (Nobody on camopus
speaks French.)

Post Hoc: Lets not take Bill on our picnic. Every time we take him it rains. Bill has no
connection to the weather.

Contradictory Premesis: If God can do anything, can he make a stone so heavy he cant lift
it? there can be no argument when the premises contradict each other..

Ad Misericordian: Appeal to someones sympathy or pity to avoid the question. (My wife is
aripple, the children are hungry)

False Analogy: Comparing two different situations and making an analogy. The situations must
be camparable.

Hypothesis Contrary to Fact: Starting with a false hypotheses and drawing conclusions.
Madam Curies discovery of radium would not have happened if she hadnt left the
photographic plate with pitch blende out.

Poisoning the Well: Tainting an argument before it has begun.. (First man calls a second man a
liar before he gets to say anything.)

Begging the Question: Assuming the premise is true without evidence. Have your parents quit
making all of your decisions for you?

Slippery Slope: Arguing that one event will lead to another which will lead to another. If I
dont study Ill fail the class, have to drop out of high school and get married young!

Ad Populum: Appeal to the crowd. Using popular opinion to support an argument.

Ad Homein: Attacking the person instead of attacking the argument the person is making.

Ignoring the Question: Arguing something else (Changing the subject.)

Non Sequitar: Does not necessarily follow. (A man is a good husband because he does not beat
his wife.)