What is a logical fallacy?

Fallacies are defects that weaken

arguments. They are very common
and can be quite persuasive
 Formal Fallacy
A formal fallacy is a defect which
can be identified merely by looking
at the logical structure of an
argument rather than any specific
statements.
 Informal Fallacy
Informal fallacies are defects which
can be identified only through an
analysis of the actual content of the
argument.
Formal fallacies are found only in
deductive arguments with
identifiable forms. One of the things
which makes them appear
reasonable is the fact that they look
like and mimic valid logical
arguments, but are in fact invalid.
Here is an example:
1. All humans are mammals.
(premise)
2. All cats are mammals. (premise)
3. All humans are cats. (conclusion)
Both premises in this argument are
true but the conclusion is false. The
defect is a formal fallacy, and can be
demonstrated by reducing the
argument to its bare structure:
1. All A are C
2. All B are C
3. All A are B
Informal fallacies are defects which
can be identified only through an
analysis of the actual content of the
argument rather than through its
structure. Here is an example:
1. Geological events produce rock.
(premise)
2. Rock is a type of music. (premise)
3. Geological events produce music.
(conclusion)
The premises in this argument are true, but
clearly the conclusion is false. Is the defect a
formal fallacy or an informal fallacy? To see if
this is actually a formal fallacy, we have to
break it down to its basic structure:
1. A = B
2. B = C
3. A = C
This structure is valid; therefore the defect
cannot be a formal fallacy and must instead
be an informal fallacy identifiable from the
content. When we examine the content we
find that a key term, "rock," is being used
with two different definitions (the technical
term for this sort of fallacy is Equivocation.)
 Informal Fallacies
Appeal to Wrong Appeal to People
Authority
S is true on the
Authority(wrong basis that S is
authority) A believed by many
asserts that S. people.
Therefore, S
 Appeal to Force Appeal to Pity

Accept my conclusion You should accept

or else you will be my conclusion out
sorry. of pity.
 Appeal to  Ad Hominem
Ignorance Whatever anyone
with undesirable
We do not know that characteristics X
S is False. says is probably
Therefore S is not true.
true. Person A has
undesirable
characteristic X.
Therefore,
Whatever A says is
probably not true.
 False Cause Either / Or Fallacy

Because one event A Either X or Y.

occurs before Not Y.
another event B, Therefore, X.
therefore A causes
B.
 Composition Division

Each member of W is W is F.
F. Therefore, each
Therefore, W is F. member of W is F.
 False Analogy Slippery Slope

A and B are both F,

G, and H.
A is also J.
Therefore, B is also
J.
Equivocation Begging the
Question
One asserts on the The conclusion is a
basis of the terms restatement of the
used in different premise
senses.
Complex Question
Straw Man Red Herring