Logical Fallacies

Logical Fallacies
Fallacies of Relevance

Ad Hominem
 Refers to a personal attack on an arguer’s reputation or character rather than the argument itself.
 Usually seen in political debates
 Example: Teddy Roosevelt’s attacks on William Howard Taft’s obesity.

Attacking the Motive
 Refers to focusing on an attack against an arguer’s supposed motivation or bias rather than focusing on the argument itself.
 Usually points to how the arguer would benefit from his own argument.
 Example: Flower companies stand to make millions this Valentine’s Day, so they are lying when they say roses have always been a ubiquitous symbol of love. Look Who’s Talking (Tu Quoque)
 Refers to the rejection of an argument or claim based on the arguer’s inability to follow his/her own advice.
 Usually points to the arguer’s inability to practice what he preaches and rejects that helpful advice.
 Example: My doctor told me to stop smoking, but since he smokes I can still smoke; I should be okay.

Two Wrongs Make a Right
 Refers to the improper justification of an act simply because a similar act is just as bad or worse.
 Usually related to Tu Quoque
 Example:
 Mom: Jack, stop hitting your sister
 Jack: Well, she kicked me!
 It doesn’t matter that Cuba is run by a dictator. We should lift the embargo on Cuba because we have trade relations with other dictators in China and the middle east.

Scare Tactics
 Refers to the threat of violence or other detriment in order to emotionally manipulate the audience.
 Usually sound like threatening statements; related to pathos
 Example:
 Politician A: We both agree that I am in charge of the bill and what can go in it; it would be so unfortunate if I withheld my vote from your next project to prove so.
 We should not vote in favor of Obamacare because it would implement death panels.

Appeal to Pity (Pathos)
 Refers to the way an arguer develops a claim with emotional baggage that has no bearing on the argument.
 Usually used