Logic

Slippery Slope

To greatly exaggerate the future consequences of an action by suggesting one small step will lead the way to a much bigger

result.

Slippery Slope

Example: If you restrict my right to say whatever I want, anywhere I want, however I want, this is the beginning of a dictatorship in America.

Slippery Slope

Example: If we let one state permit marijuana use, before

you know it our state will start to become chaotic and drugs will

be everywhere.

Ad Hominem (Attack the Man)

Attacking the character of a person rather than the claim, reasons, and evidence she or he is setting forth.

Example: In listening to what you have to say I have this to

say in reply: only an idiot would argue for pursuing a peaceful

solution to this conflict.

Non Sequitur

An argument which leaves out a necessary portion in a logical

sequence, seeming to suggest a logical connection when in

fact one does not exist.

Example: She is a feminist; she must hate men.

Example: He is a football player; he must be a dumb jock.

False Analogy

Drawing an analogy that is based upon faulty equations or

identifications of terms.

Example: Students in Kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School did better when given milk and cookies in class than when not; therefore,

students at UWEC will do better too if they are given milk and cookies in

class.  

Appeal to FearThe act of creating fear in people rather than using evidence to make a claim

Example:"You know, Professor Smith, I really need to get an A in this

class. I'd like to stop by during your office hours later to discuss my grade. I'll be in your building anyways, visiting my father. He's

your dean, by the way. I'll see you later."

False Authority

The logical fallacy of arguing that something is "correct" or "true" because an "expert" in

an unrelated area says so.

Example:

“I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

False Dilemma(Black and White Thinking)

A fallacy of oversimplification that offers a limited number of options (usually two) when in

reality more options are available.

Example"Look, you are going to have to make up your mind. Either you decide that you can afford this stereo, or you decide you are

going to do without music for a while."