fallacies

 Errors in 

reasoning. Fallacies 

can be seen as 

(1) reasons that seem 

logical but don’t 

necessarily support 

the conclusion or 

(2) statements that 

distract listeners from 

the real issue.

faulty analogy

false cause

(post hoc ergo propter hoc)

A fallacy that 

occurs when there is no real 

proof that one event caused 

another event; there is only 

evidence that one event came 

after another event. 

correlation

A relationship 

or connection between two 

objects or events. Noting 

a correlation is sometimes 

the first step in exploring 

causation, but it does not 

equal causation. 

causation

A connection 

between two events in which 

it is established that one event 

caused the other. 

slippery slope

A fallacy 

that occurs when serious 

consequences of a potential 

action or policy are predicted 

and not substantiated by evidence

straw man

A fallacy in 

which an opponent’s argument 

is distorted or exaggerated and 

then more easily attacked. 

hasty conclusion

A fallacy 

in which a generalization 

is drawn from a small and 

thus inadequate sample of information

self-fulfilling

prophecy

A process whereby an 

expectation becomes a reality. 

false dilemna

(either-or fallacy)

An error in reasoning that 

occurs when one polarizes 

a situation by presenting 

only two alternatives, at two 

extremes of the spectrum of 

possibilities.

begging the question

A fallacy that occurs when 

a speaker or writer assumes 

what needs to be proven.

red herring

A fallacy in 

which reasons offered to 

support conclusions lead the 

listener away from the issue 

under consideration.

ad hominem

(attacking the person)

 A Latin 

term meaning “to the man” 

or attacking the person. 

Ad hominem occurs when 

a person is attacked on 

a personal quality that is 

irrelevant to the issue under 

discussion.

two wrongs

make a right

A fallacy that is used to 

excuse bad behavior on the 

grounds of other bad behavior; 

the fallacy occurs when 

someone rationalizes that one 

person’s or one group’s action 

is justified because some other 

person’s or group’s action is 

just as bad or worse. 

look who's talking

A fallacy that is committed 

when someone denies a claim 

because they believe the 

speaker who is making the 

claim is hypocritical. 

ad populum

A fallacy that 

consists of a false appeal to 

the authority of “everyone.” 

This fallacy is based on the 

assumption that a course of 

action should be taken or 

an idea should be supported 

because “everyone” is doing it 

or believes it. 

appeal to

traditions

A fallacy that occurs 

when a belief or action is 

supported on the ground 

that it conforms to traditional 

ideas or practices. 

appeal to pity

A logical 

fallacy that occurs when 

someone argues that others 

should follow a course of 

action or hold a certain belief 

for no other reason than that 

they should feel compassion 

for the irrelevant claims or 

irresponsibility of the speaker.

equivocation

A logical 

fallacy in which the same 

word is used with two different meanings