Topic: Logical Fallacies Objective: I will identify various logical fallacies EQ: What are the most common logical fallacies and where do they appear? Standard: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text… identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.

What is a logical fallacy? A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning.  Logical fallacies are like tricks or illusions of thought, and they're often very sneakily used by politicians and the media to fool people. Don't be fooled!

Logical Fallacy #1 Hasty Generalization: Making assumptions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pem_FwggPsM Choose one of the commercials and explain why it was a hasty generalization.

Logical Fallacy #2 Missing the Point: Drawing an incorrect conclusion based on a certain fact or facts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FlerH-fp5k

Logical Fallacy #3 Post Hoc (false cause): Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B. Example: We won the game on Friday when I wore my lucky shoes. My lucky shoes caused us to win the game.

Logical Fallacy #4 Slippery Slope: This is a conclusion based on the premise that if A happens, then eventually through a series of small steps, through B, C,..., X, Y, Z will happen, too, basically equating A and Z. So, if we don't want Z to occur, A must not be allowed to occur either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHs8OlXBFVs Choose 1 and explain the ‘slippery slope’ and discuss how this premise is a flaw in logic.

Logical Fallacy #5 Weak Analogy: Many arguments rely on an analogy between two or more ideas. If the two things that are being compared aren’t really alike, the analogy is a weak one. Example: Guns can kill someone; so can cars. It would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of automobiles. So restrictions on purchasing guns should not exist.

Weak Analogy cont.

Logical Fallacy #6 Appeal to Authority: Often we add strength to our arguments by referring to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the issues we’re discussing.

Logical Fallacy #7 Appeal to Pity: Seeks agreement through sympathy.

Logical Fallacy #8 Appeal to Ignorance: When you argue that your conclusion must be true, because there is no evidence against it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ra8_gyY9R8

Logical Fallacy #9 Straw Man: The Straw Man fallacy is committed when a person simply ignores a person's actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D312ssRfWMA

Logical Fallacy #10 Red Herring: The name of this fallacy comes from the sport of fox hunting in which a dried, smoked herring, which is red in color, is dragged across the trail of the fox to throw the hounds off the scent. Thus, a "red herring" argument is one which distracts the audience from the issue in question through the introduction of some irrelevancy. This frequently occurs during debates when there is an at least implicit topic, yet it is easy to lose track of it. By extension, it applies to any argument in which the premises are logically irrelevant to the conclusion.

Logical Fallacy #10 cont. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exdK7Lirngg Quick Write: Compare and contrast Red Herring and Straw Man. Use examples.

Logical Fallacy #11 False Dichotomy: The fallacy of false dichotomy is committed when the arguer claims that his conclusion is one of only two options, when in fact there are other possibilities. The arguer then goes on to show that the 'only other option' is clearly outrageous, and so his preferred conclusion must be embraced. EX: Either you let me go to the One Direction concert, or I'll be miserable for the rest of my life. I know you don't want me to be miserable for the rest of my life, so you should let me go to the concert.

Logical Fallacy #12 Begging the Question: Begging the question means "assuming the conclusion (of an argument)", a type of circular reasoning. This is a fallacy where the conclusion that one is attempting to prove is included in the initial premise of an argument, often in an indirect way that conceals this fact. Running is awesome because it’s great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvm6goJQbFI

Logical Fallacy #13 Equivocation: Going back and forth between two or more different meaning of a single word/phrase, based on how it suits the argument. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AtMwsaecWQ