Fallacy examples

1. Logical Fallacies
Errors in
reasoning that
invalidate the
argument

2. Ad Hominem – “Argument against
the man”
• Unfairly attacking a person instead of the
issue
• Attacking the character and/or reputation
of a position’s supporters; “Guilt by
association”
•Example: We cannot listen to John’s opinion
on global warming because he is a tree hugger.

3. Begging the Question
• The opinion to be proved is given as if it
were already proved.
• Example:
Global warming doesn’t exist because the
earth is not getting warmer.

4. False Cause (Cause and Effect)
• Citing a false or remote cause to explain a
situation
• Example:
The increase in global warming in the past
decade is because more teenagers are
using hairspray.

5. Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
(False Cause)
• “After this, therefore because of this”
• Assuming that because two things
happened, the first one caused the
second one
• Example:
Every time my brother Bill uses hairspray,
it is an extremely hot day.

6. Either or Fallacy
• Discussing an issue as if there are only
two alternatives
• This fallacy ignores any other possible
alternatives
• Example:
We either ban hairspray or the world will
end.

7. Evasion
• Ignoring or evading the questions
• Example:
Reporter: “Senator, what is your view on
global warming?
Senator: “Global warming is definitely
something we need to look into.”

8. False Analogy
• Making a comparison between two
subjects that have more dissimilarities
than similarities.
• Example:
Using hairspray everyday is like launching
a nuclear weapon.

9. Oversimplification
• Making a complicated issue seem very
simple by using simple terms or
suppressing information
• Example:
Global warming is caused by using
hairspray and other beauty products.

10. Rationalization
• Giving incorrect reasons to justify your
position
• Example:
I don’t believe in global warming because I
like using hairspray.

11. Red Herring
• Presenting an argument unrelated to your
subject in order to distract the reader
• Example:
In order to really look at the problem of
global warming, we must first consider
how the homeless suffer when it is cold.

12. Slippery Slope
• Implying that one small step in the wrong
direction will cause catastrophic results
• Example:
If we use just one more can of hairspray
this month, earth as we know it will no
longer exist.

13. Two wrongs make a right
• Defending something done wrong by citing
another incident of wrong doing
• Example
American does not need to regulate
pollution because China is producing
more pollution than we are.

14. Hasty Generalization
• An inference drawn from insufficient
evidence
• It is warmer this year in Las Vegas as
compared to last year; therefore, global
warming is rapidly accelerating.

15. Straw Man
• An argument in which an opponent’s
position is represented as being more
extreme than it actually is
• Al Gore feels that all companies are
irresponsible and should be punished for
allowing emissions which causes global
warming.

16. Equivocation
• Juvenile tricks of language
• If there really is global warming, how come
it is cooler in Fullerton this year?

17. Non Sequitur
• “It does not follow”
• Argument in which claims, reasons, or
warrants fail to connect logically.
• Example
We should stop using hairspray because it
is snowing in New York.