15 Logical Fallacies to Know, with Definitions and Examples

Are you ready to sharpen your knowledge with 15 logical fallacies to know? Knowing the different types of logical fallacies and understanding how they are used in rhetoric is essential for any professional or writer.

In this blog post, we’ll cover the 15 most commonly-used logical fallacies along with full definitions and examples so that you can easily integrate them into your work. Let’s dive right in!

1. Ad Hominem Fallacy

Ad Hominem Fallacy is a type of logical fallacy that occurs when a person attacks an individual’s character instead of addressing the argument at hand. In simpler terms, it is a personal attack on the individual rather than addressing the issue. This type of fallacy is often used to divert attention away from the topic being discussed, and it is important to recognize it to have productive discussions.

• For example, if someone is arguing their point about a political issue, and the other person says, “Of course you would say that since you are liberal/conservative/whatever”, this is an ad hominem fallacy because it doesn’t address the argument itself, but rather attacks the individual’s political beliefs.

By understanding and identifying this fallacy, we can avoid getting sidetracked and stay focused on the argument at hand.

2. Appeal to Authority Fallacy

In logical arguments, an appeal to authority fallacy refers to the error of relying on the opinion of someone who lacks expertise or credibility on a particular issue. This fallacy can be seen in situations where people defer to celebrities or individuals who have impressive credentials but are not knowledgeable in a given field.

• For example, it would be fallacious to conclude that climate change is not real simply because a well-known actor claims it is a hoax.

Another instance of this fallacy could be seen in politics when people blindly support candidates without fact-checking their statements or credentials. An appeal to authority fallacy can be a subtle yet dangerous pitfall in arguments, requiring critical thinking and thorough research to avoid.

3. Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy

As critical thinkers, it is essential to identify and avoid logical fallacies in our reasoning. One of the most common fallacies is the Appeal to Ignorance, which occurs when a conclusion is drawn solely based on the absence of evidence. In other words, it assumes that something is true simply because there is no evidence proving it false, or vice versa.

• For example, someone might argue that ghosts exist because no one has proven that they don’t.

Alternatively, they might argue that ghosts don’t exist because there is no evidence proving that they do. As with all logical fallacies, the Appeal to Ignorance can be misleading and should be approached with caution.

4. Bandwagon Fallacy

When it comes to logical fallacies, the bandwagon fallacy is commonly used in today’s society. The bandwagon fallacy occurs when someone argues for a position by stating that many people believe it, or that it is the popular opinion. This fallacy assumes that because many people believe something, it must be true. However, popularity and truth are not always the same thing.

• For example, just because many people believe that a certain politician is the best candidate, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they would make the best leader.
• Another example would be the popular belief that certain diets or products are effective and necessary for weight loss. However, just because a certain diet or product is popular, it doesn’t necessarily make it effective or necessary.

It is important to recognize the fallacy of the bandwagon and to base arguments on sound evidence and reasoning, rather than simply popular opinion.

5. Slippery Slope Fallacy

The Slippery Slope Fallacy is a subtler form of argument, and yet commonly used in rhetoric, politics, and advertisements. It asserts that taking one action will ultimately lead to a specific, possibly unfavorable outcome without providing evidence to connect the two events. This Fallacy is often used to make a person’s stance on a position seem far too extreme or unrealistic.

• For example, claiming that the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes will inevitably lead to the complete legalization of all drugs is a common Slippery Slope Fallacy used against this issue.
• Another example would be arguing that if a company raises its minimum wage, it will have to raise all employee salaries, which will ultimately put the company out of business.

Always remember that if someone uses the Slippery Slope Fallacy, ask them to provide evidence to support the connection between the events.

6. Straw Man Argument

A straw man argument is a type of logical fallacy that involves misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to disprove. This tactic is often used in debates or discussions to distract from the actual issue at hand.

• For example, if someone argues that we should increase funding for public schools, their opponent might misrepresent their argument by saying they want to throw unlimited amounts of money at an inefficient system. This misrepresentation is then attacked and defeated, even though it was never a fair representation of the original argument.

Understanding this fallacy is crucial for recognizing attempts at manipulation in discussions and debates.

7. Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc (False Cause and Effect)

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone assumes that because one event happens after another, the first event caused the second event. This is a false cause-and-effect relationship since the mere timing of two events does not prove causation.

• For instance, just because someone got better after taking homeopathy doesn’t mean that homeopathy caused the cure.

The real reason why someone got better might be because their body’s immune system was already curing them. Another example would be claiming that a particular politician was responsible for the sudden decrease in crime in a

8. Gambler’s Fallacy

Gambler’s fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when an individual believes that the probability of an event happening increases or decreases based on previous outcomes. The truth is that each event is independent of the other, and the likelihood of something happening doesn’t increase or decrease because of previous attempts. People often commit this fallacy in games of chance like roulette or lotteries.

• For example, someone may believe that since a coin has landed heads up repeatedly, tails are overdue to come up.

This type of thinking can lead people to make poor decisions and lose money. In essence, the gambler’s fallacy is the belief that if something has not occurred for an extended period, it is bound to happen soon. It is essential to recognize this fallacy to avoid falling prey to it in daily life decision-making.

9. Non-Sequitur (It Does Not Follow)

Non-Sequitur, which means “it does not follow,” is one of the 15 logical fallacies to know. A non-sequitur occurs when an argument’s conclusion does not logically follow from its premises. In other words, the conclusion does not connect with the evidence used to support it.

• For example, if someone argues that because they have a lot of followers on social media, they must be a good singer, this is a non-sequitur as social media followers have no bearing on someone’s singing ability.
• Another example is when someone claims that they are always right because they are the boss, then this is a non-sequitur as the person’s position does not necessarily mean that they are always correct.

Being aware of non-sequitur is important when making logical arguments and critically analyzing claims.

10. Equivocation

Equivocation is a logical fallacy that occurs when the meaning of a key term changes in the middle of an argument. It involves the use of ambiguous language that can be interpreted in different ways.

• An example of equivocation can be seen in the phrase, “I have a right to free speech, therefore, I can say whatever I want.” The equivocation lies within the different meanings of “right” in the two parts of the statement.

In the first part, “right” refers to a legal entitlement, while in the second part it refers to a moral or ethical entitlement. Equivocation can be a tricky tactic that people use to mislead and deceive others, which is why it’s essential to recognize and identify it when it occurs.

11. Circular Reasoning/Begging the Question

Circular reasoning, also known as begging the question, occurs when the conclusion is included in the premise. In simpler terms, it is when someone uses what they are trying to prove as evidence. This logical fallacy is common in arguments and debates and can be difficult to detect.

• Some examples of circular reasoning include: “I know ghosts exist because I have seen one,” or “The Bible is true because it is the word of God.”

In both of these examples, the speaker is using their conclusion as evidence, which is a logical fallacy. It is important to be aware of circular reasoning and other logical fallacies to think critically and avoid being misled by faulty arguments.

12. Red Herring 

One of the most common logical fallacies you may come across is the red herring. This fallacy occurs when someone brings up a seemingly relevant topic to distract from the actual argument or topic at hand. The red herring is often used as a tactic to avoid addressing the real issue or to mislead the audience.

• For example, during a political debate, a candidate may bring up a completely irrelevant topic, such as their military service, to deflect from answering a tough question about their voting record.

It’s important to recognize when someone is using a red herring to used on the actual discussion and not get sidetracked by irrelevant information.

13. Anecdotal Evidence

Anecdotal evidence is a logical fallacy that uses personal experiences or anecdotes to support a claim or argument. This type of evidence is based on someone’s individual experience, which may not be representative of the overall population or situation.

• For example, a person may argue that a certain treatment is effective because they know someone who was cured by it. However, this experience is not necessarily a reliable indicator of the effectiveness of the treatment as a whole.
• Another example is a person arguing against vaccination because they know someone who allegedly suffered a negative reaction while ignoring the overwhelming evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

It is crucial to recognize the limitations of anecdotal evidence and seek out more reliable sources of information when making important decisions or arguments.

14. Loaded Language

Loaded language refers to the use of words or phrases that carry emotional or judgmental connotations in order to manipulate an audience or steer them towards a particular Examples of loaded language include using words like “freedom” or “justice” to support a political position, or using terms like “snowflake” or “deplorables” to belittle and dismiss opposing viewpoints.

Loaded language is a particularly insidious type of fallacy because it can be difficult for an audience to recognize they are being manipulated by emotive language rather than sound reasoning. Being aware of the use of loaded language can help us be more discerning and thoughtful consumers of information.

15. Hasty Generalization

Hasty generalization is a type of logical fallacy that occurs when a conclusion is made based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence. This fallacy relies on drawing a sweeping conclusion from a limited set of examples.

• For example, assuming all dogs are aggressive because one dog viciously attacked its owner would be a hasty generalization.
• Another common example is assuming that all politicians are corrupt based on the actions of a select few.

In both of these cases, the conclusion drawn is based on a limited set of evidence and does not accurately represent reality. Understanding hasty generalization is important in avoiding faulty reasoning and making better decisions based on sound evidence.

Conclusion

It is important to be aware of the common logical fallacies that exist and how they can lead to incorrect conclusions. By knowing these 15 logical fallacies, you will be able to recognize them in FAQs

What are logical fallacies?

Logical fallacies are mistakes in reasoning that can lead to incorrect conclusions. They occur when someone makes an error in the logic they are using to make their argument, such as substituting unrelated evidence or making false assumptions.

How do I recognize logical fallacies?

Logical fallacies can often be spotted by looking for signs such as: an appeal to emotion instead of providing evidence; substituting irrelevant information for actual facts; and making hasty generalizations. It is also helpful to look for words or phrases that indicate a logical fallacy, such as “all” or “never”.

What are some common examples of logical fallacies?

Common examples include ad hominem attacks (attacking someone’s character instead of their argument); circular arguments (assuming what is to be proven); and false dichotomies (pitting two sides as the only possible options, when there are more).

What are the benefits of understanding logical fallacies?

Understanding logical fallacies can help you identify faulty reasoning in your own arguments and other people’s. It can also help you communicate better with others by avoiding common pitfalls in logic. Finally, it can improve critical thinking skills by helping you recognize when someone is making an invalid claim or a false assumption.

By having a better grasp of logical fallacies, you will be able to make more informed decisions and think more clearly about important issues. It’s a valuable skill that can help you in many aspects of life.