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Fallacies in Reasoning

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Fallacies in Reasoning FALLACIES IN REASONING FALLACIES IN REASONING OR WHAT SHOULD I AVOID? The strength of your arguments is determined by the use of reliable evidence, sound reasoning and adaptation to the audience. In the process of argumentation, mistakes sometimes occur. Some are deliberate in order to deceive the audience. That brings us to fallacies. I. Definition: errors in reasoning, appeal, or language use that renders a conclusion invalid. II. Fallacies In Reasoning: A. Hasty Generalization-jumping to conclusions based on too few instances or on atypical instances of particular phenomena. This happens by trying to squeeze too much from an argument than is actually warranted. B. Transfer- extend reasoning beyond what is logically possible. There are three different types of transfer: 1.) Fallacy of composition- occur when a claim asserts that what is true of a part is true of the whole. 2.) Fallacy of division- error from arguing that what is true of the whole will be true of the parts. 3.) Fallacy of refutation- also known as the Straw Man. It occurs when an arguer attempts to direct attention to the successful refutation of an argument that was never raised or to restate a strong argument in a way that makes it appear weaker. Called a Straw Man because it focuses on an issue that is easy to overturn. A form of deception. C. Irrelevant Arguments- (Non Sequiturs) an argument that is irrelevant to the issue or in which the claim does not follow from the proof offered. It does not follow. D. Circular Reasoning- (Begging the Question) supports claims with reasons identical to the claims themselves. The grounds and warrant are equivalent in meaning to the claim the purport to support, thus making no inferential leap from grounds to claim. E. Avoiding the Issue-shifting attention away from the issue at hand. 1.) Fallacy of Simple Evasion- changing the subject for no apparent reason, or bypassing a critical issue, diverts attention from the issues central to the argument. 2.) Fallacy of Ad Hominem- attacking the person and not the argument. 3.) Fallacy of Shifting Ground- the arguer abandons his or her original position on a particular argument and adopts a new one. 4.) Fallacy of Seizing on a Trivial Point- when you locate another’s weak or indefensible argument and magnify it out of all proportion to discredit the entire position on the proposition. F. Forcing a Dichotomy- Either-or-choice, phrased in such a way that it forces them to favor the arguer’s preferred option. Also known as The False Dilemma because it makes the choices too simple. http://web.gccaz.edu/~kshinema/FALLACIES.HTML[11/3/2015 7:55:53 AM] FALLACIES IN REASONING II. Fallacies In Appeal: A. Appeal to Ignorance- (Ad Ignoratium) asks the audience to accept the truth of a claim because no proof to the contrary exists. Something is true simply because it cannot be proven false. B. Appeal to the People- (Ad Populum Argument) appeals to the people addresses the audience’s prejudices and feelings rather than the issues. Based on popularity, that we should do or believe something because the majority of people do or believe it- an appeal to the people is being made. C. Appeal to Emotion- not necessarily bad, but not entirely rational. Usually in appeal to fear like McCarthy Era. D. Appeal to Authority- utilizes the opinions and testimony of experts is a legitimate form of reasoning; however, care must be exercised to ensure that the argument is not fallacious. E. Appeal to Tradition- argue that we should accept something because it is customary rather than because of the reasons that justify it commits a fallacy. F. Appeal to Humor- (Reductio Ad Absurdum) reducing a claim to absurdity. Using humor to entertain rather than enlighten. Fails to make a serious point. III. Fallacies In Language: A. Ambiguity and Equivocation- the ambiguity of language interferes with effective argumentation when a term is used differently by both parties to the dispute. This "meanings are in people" problem may occur unintentionally, with both arguers operating on the basis of legitimate, but entirely different, meanings for a term. B. Emotionally Loaded Language- arguments of everyday life are frequently condensed to what fits on a bumper sticker. e.g.: Abortion is murder. C. Technical Jargon- when the technical terms confuses the listeners. http://web.gccaz.edu/~kshinema/FALLACIES.HTML[11/3/2015 7:55:53 AM].
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