FALLACY

Fallacy
• Is an erroneous reasoning or an incorrect argument. Coming from the
latin word fallere which means to deceive. It is a type of argument
that seems to be valid but which proves, upon examination, not to be
so.
Fallacy of Language/Ambiguity
• It expresses lack of preciseness in the words, phrases or sentences
used to express thought.
1. Equivocation
• Committed when a word carrying different meanings is used in the same
context in a particular argument.
• It is misleading because of its double meaning.
• Erap, Cory and FVR were captured by the Abu Sayyaf. They were brought to
an island and were informed that they were going to be executed one by
one. Cory was the first in line, and she thought of a way to distract the
rebels. When she was already at the center and was about to be shot dead,
she shouted, “Earthquake!” The rebels, seeing that Cory had fled, decided
that FVR be executed next. FVR did the same thing Cory did, and shouted,
“Tidal Wave!” The rebels scampered, and FVR took the opportunity to flee.
Realizing that he was the only hostage left, Erap thought of doing the
same; and so he shouted, “Fire!” After three seconds, Erap dropped dead.
2. Amphiboly
• Committed when the awkward construction of one’s sentence allows
a double meaning caused by inexactness of expression. The
grammatical construction of a sentence is not clear and therefore
open to different interpretations

• Example:
• I would like to buy a clock for my boyfriend with three hands.
• Include your children when baking cookies.
• Enrollees in college cut in half.
3. Accent or Prosody
• This fallacy arises from a false accent or a false emphasis in speech. A false
stress of voice is placed upon a given word in order to mislead, confuse or
produce a wrong interpretation.
• Example
• A dessert is a course of fruit served after the meal.
• A desert is a forsaken region

• I re’sent the letter

• I res’ent the letter

• Slow, men working

• Slow men working
4. Composition
• It consists in taking collectively what should be taken individually. It
states that whatever is true of each member of a given set of objects
it true of the set itself.

• Examples:
• Each of the pebbles in the jar is light; therefore, the entire jar must be light.

• Manny Pacquiao is a great boxer.

• Manny Pacquiao is a Visayan
• All Visayans are great boxers.
5. Division
• States that what is true of the whole is true of the part of the whole.

• Example:
• The human person is wonderfully made by God.
• His nose is wonderfully made by God.

• The catholic church is a sacred institution.

• Every Catholic priest is sacred
Fallacy of Relevance
• Arises when something about an argument tempts us simply to
overlook the fact that there really is no connection between the
premises and the conclusion. It is also called ignoratio elenchi
1. Accident
• This fallacy is committed when an exception to the general rule is
ignored.

• Example:
• Cutting people with a knife is a crime.
• Surgeons cut people with knife
• Surgeons are criminals.

• We have to be generous to others. Therefore, during examination we have to

share our answers with our seatmate.
2. Petitio Principii(begging the question)
• The argument fails to prove anything because it somehow takes for granted
what it is supposed to prove.
• Example:
• “Ladies and gentlemen, the defendant is obviously guilty of murder because is a
killer.”
• I don’t want to go to the dance because I just don’t feel like it.

• Why are you late?

• Because I’m not early.

• Why are you here?

• Because I’m not there!
3. Argumentum Ad Hominem (Attack against
man)
• Is an attack on the character of the person rather than a challenge to
the merit of the argument. The accusation must be irrelevant to the
issue and merely an attempt to divert the discussion.
• A. Abusive – attacking the person instead of proving or
disproving the argument.
• Don’t believe him, he’s gay!
• Are you going to agree with what that dirty pig is saying?
b. Circumstantial – assert that the person is making the claim