Speaking informallyA Review of the informal fallacies

Appeal to Authority

Philosophy is a most important discipline to study, Mr. Jenny says so.

Card-Stacking Forgetful Induction

In the past, scientists (who were in the employ of the tobacco companies) who attempted to study links between the smoking of tobacco products and cancer, “could find no causal connection” between smoking and cancer.

BandwagonAppeal to Popularity

I want to buy a Honda Civic. It’s the best selling car in Canada. All those people must know something about the quality of those cars.

Glittering Generalities

“Pure, fresh, mountain spring water. Bottled especially for you in Utah from only our purest mountain springs.”

Personal AttackAd Hominem

Francis Bacon's philosophy should be dismissed since Bacon was removed from his chancellorship for dishonesty.

Straw Man

Bill Clinton: "We want to build a bridge to the future. Bob Dole talks about building a bridge to the past."

Post HocFalse Cause

People who contracted malaria often went out at night before they contracted the disease. Therefore, night air causes malaria. (People actually thought this.)

Begging the Questionor Circular Argument

“I believe in alien spaceships. How else would the aliens get here. That’s why there must be alien spaceships.”

Begging the Questionor Circular Argument

“Free trade will be good for this country. The reason is patently clear. Isn't it obvious that unrestricted commercial relations will bestow on all sections of this nation the benefits which result when there is an unimpeded flow of goods between countries?”

False DichotomyFalse Dilemma

Either we reduce our public spending or our economy will collapse.

Guilt by Association

All communists are civil rights supporters. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. is a civil rights supporter. 

Therefore, Martin Luther King, Jr. is a communist.

Argument from Ignorance

Dan Rather was accused of using forged documents to discredit President George W. Bush.

Rather couldn't prove the documents weren't forgeries, but that doesn't prove that they were.

Appeal to Emotion - Pity

Appeal to Emotion –Fear / Threat

Communism is wrong. If you disagree, I’ll prosecute you as a traitor.

Equivocation

Reporter: “… who’s playing first?”

Manager: “Yes.”

Reporter: “I mean the fellow’s name on first base.”

Manager: “Who.”

Amphiboly

Sign in a restaurant:(honestly! Wimpey’s in

Burlington)

“Women in low-cut blouses will be looked down upon in this establishment.”

Misplaced Accent

Sign on a new development in Milton:

Up to$36,000Cash Back!

Composition

Human cells are invisible to the naked eye.

Humans are made up of human cells.

Therefore, Humans are invisible to the naked eye.

Division

A colony of ants can destroy a tree.

Therefore, this ant can destroy this tree.