Misusing
logical appeal in a persuasive setting can hurt the credibility
of a claim or person. Below are different types
of logical fallacy that can cause one to lose credibility.
Logical Fallacy |
Definition |
Example |
| Ad hominem |
An attack against an opponent’s character instead
of against an argument. |
Francis Bacon’s philosophy should be dismissed
since Bacon was removed from his chancellorship for dishonesty. |
| Begging the question |
When the claim is included in the evidence, so nothing
is proved. |
Since I’m not lying, I must be telling the truth. |
| Complex cause |
A complex event is shown as having only one cause. |
We lost the game because Wilson missed the last shot. |
| Complex question |
When two different points are linked together in one
statement. |
Do you support freedom and the right to bear arms? |
| Either / or; also called false dilemma |
When only two options are given when many choices exist. |
Either you’re for the Republican plan or you’re
a socialist and un-American. |
| Equivocation |
Using a same word with two different meanings. |
The sign said, “Fine for Parking Here,” so
since it was fine, I parked here. |
| False analogy |
Comparing two things that are not similar enough to
compare. |
That political leader is the Jesus Christ of the 20th
century. |
| False authority |
When someone who is not an expert gives testimony. |
I bought a Harley Davidson because Arnold Schwarzenegger
says it’s the best motorcycle. |
| Faulty cause and effect |
Lack of connection between two consecutive events. |
Because I watched “Friends” last night,
I passed my math test. |
| Hasty generalization |
When a claim draws a conclusion based on insufficient
evidence. |
Women are bad drivers. |
| Moral equivalence |
Comparing something minor to something serious, as
if they are equal. |
That police officer who gave me a ticket is as bad
as Hitler. |
| Placing blame elsewhere |
Avoiding the issues by attacking something else. |
You criticize Chinese human rights violations, but
what about the homeless in American slums? |
| Prejudicial language |
Loaded or overly emphasized word choice. |
Right-wing fanatics and NRA stormtroopers will fight
to keep guns firing. |
| Red herring |
When a rebuttal ignores the question asked. |
Question: Did the president have an affair? Answer:
The president is very busy at the moment with the Middle
East peace talks and has no time for silly accusations. |
| Stacking the deck |
Completely leaving out one side of an argument. |
There should be no “moment of silence” in
schools because it discriminates against certain religions,
causes unnecessary controversy and takes away from study
time. |
| Straw man |
Attacking an opponent’s weaker argument rather
than his strongest. |
Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack
submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can’t
understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like
that. |
| Wrong direction |
The cause-and-effect relationship is reversed. |
Cancer causes smoking. |
