SettingsLogical fallacies
Ad captandum
In rhetoric an argument ad captandum, "for capturing" the gullibility of the naïve among the listeners or readers, is an unsound, specious argument, a kind of seductive casuistry.
In rhetoric an argument ad captandum, "for capturing" the gullibility of the naïve among the listeners or readers, is an unsound, specious argument, a kind of seductive casuistry.
Ad hominem
An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic o...
An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic o...
Anangeon
Anangeon is a specious method of argument, where the basis lies in inevitability or necessity.
Anangeon is a specious method of argument, where the basis lies in inevitability or necessity.
Anecdotal evidence
The expression anecdotal evidence refers to evidence that may be true but cherry-picked or otherwise unrepresentative of typical cases.
The expression anecdotal evidence refers to evidence that may be true but cherry-picked or otherwise unrepresentative of typical cases.
Appeal to probability
An appeal to probability is a justification based on probability, sometimes regarded as a logical fallacy, when an unwarranted assumption that something will happen, because it can happe...
An appeal to probability is a justification based on probability, sometimes regarded as a logical fallacy, when an unwarranted assumption that something will happen, because it can happe...
Appeal to ridicule
Appeal to ridicule, also called appeal to mockery, Stewart's fallacy, the Horse Laugh, or reductio ad ridiculum, is a logical fallacy which presents the opponent's ar...
Appeal to ridicule, also called appeal to mockery, Stewart's fallacy, the Horse Laugh, or reductio ad ridiculum, is a logical fallacy which presents the opponent's ar...
Argument from authority
Authoritative argument is a special type of inductive argument which often takes the form of a statistical syllogism.
Authoritative argument is a special type of inductive argument which often takes the form of a statistical syllogism.
Argument from beauty
The argument from beauty is an argument for the existence of God as against materialism.
The argument from beauty is an argument for the existence of God as against materialism.
Argument from setting a precedent
Argument from precedent is a common fallacy in discussion, for example on committees or in meetings.
Argument from precedent is a common fallacy in discussion, for example on committees or in meetings.
Argumentum ad baculum
Argumentum ad baculum (Latin for argument to the cudgel or appeal to the stick), also known as appeal to force, is an argument where force, coercion, or the threat of force...
Argumentum ad baculum (Latin for argument to the cudgel or appeal to the stick), also known as appeal to force, is an argument where force, coercion, or the threat of force...
Argumentum e contrario
In logic, an argumentum e contrario (Latin: "appeal from the contrary" or "argument based on the contrary") denotes any proposition that is argued to be correct because it is not proven by a cer...
In logic, an argumentum e contrario (Latin: "appeal from the contrary" or "argument based on the contrary") denotes any proposition that is argued to be correct because it is not proven by a cer...
Begging the question
Begging the question is a type of logical fallacy in which a proposition is made that uses its own premise as proof of the proposition.
Begging the question is a type of logical fallacy in which a proposition is made that uses its own premise as proof of the proposition.
Cartesian circle
The Cartesian circle is a potential mistake in reasoning attributed to René Descartes.
The Cartesian circle is a potential mistake in reasoning attributed to René Descartes.
Category mistake
A category mistake, or category error, is a semantic or ontological error in which "things of one kind are presented as if they belonged to another", or, alternatively, a property is ascri...
A category mistake, or category error, is a semantic or ontological error in which "things of one kind are presented as if they belonged to another", or, alternatively, a property is ascri...
Conditional probability
The new probability of A, called the conditional probability of A given B has to be calculated as the quotient of the probability of A∩B and the probability of B.
The new probability of A, called the conditional probability of A given B has to be calculated as the quotient of the probability of A∩B and the probability of B.
Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias is a tendency of people to favor information that confirms their beliefs or hypotheses.
Confirmation bias is a tendency of people to favor information that confirms their beliefs or hypotheses.
Confusion of the inverse
Confusion of the inverse, also called the conditional probability fallacy or the inverse fallacy, is a logical fallacy whereupon a conditional probability is equivocated with its inv...
Confusion of the inverse, also called the conditional probability fallacy or the inverse fallacy, is a logical fallacy whereupon a conditional probability is equivocated with its inv...
Conjunction fallacy
The conjunction fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when it is assumed that specific conditions are more probable than a single general one.
The conjunction fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when it is assumed that specific conditions are more probable than a single general one.
Contradiction
In classical logic, a contradiction consists of a logical incompatibility between two or more propositions.
In classical logic, a contradiction consists of a logical incompatibility between two or more propositions.
Correlative-based fallacies
In logic, correlative-based fallacies, also known as fallacies of distraction, are logical fallacies based on correlative conjunctions.
In logic, correlative-based fallacies, also known as fallacies of distraction, are logical fallacies based on correlative conjunctions.
Cosmological argument
The cosmological argument is an argument for the existence of a First Cause (or instead, an Uncaused cause) to the universe, and by extension is often used as an argument for the existence of an...
The cosmological argument is an argument for the existence of a First Cause (or instead, an Uncaused cause) to the universe, and by extension is often used as an argument for the existence of an...
Definist fallacy
The definist fallacy can refer to three logical fallacies related to how terms are defined in an argument.
The definist fallacy can refer to three logical fallacies related to how terms are defined in an argument.
Denying the correlative
The logical fallacy of denying the correlative is an attempt made at introducing alternatives where there are none.
The logical fallacy of denying the correlative is an attempt made at introducing alternatives where there are none.
Descriptive fallacy
The Descriptive Fallacy was suggested by J.L. Austin in 1955 in the lectures now known as How to Do Things With Words.
The Descriptive Fallacy was suggested by J.L. Austin in 1955 in the lectures now known as How to Do Things With Words.
Double counting (fallacy)
Double counting is a fallacy in which, when counting events or occurrences in probability or in other areas, a solution counts events two or more times, resulting in an erroneous number of event...
Double counting is a fallacy in which, when counting events or occurrences in probability or in other areas, a solution counts events two or more times, resulting in an erroneous number of event...
Drinking the Kool-Aid
"Drinking the Kool-Aid" is a metaphor commonly used in the United States and Canada that refers to a person or group's unquestioning belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination.
"Drinking the Kool-Aid" is a metaphor commonly used in the United States and Canada that refers to a person or group's unquestioning belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination.
Ecological fallacy
An ecological fallacy (or ecological inference fallacy, also referred to as the fallacy of division) is a logical fallacy in the interpretation of statistical data in an ecological stu...
An ecological fallacy (or ecological inference fallacy, also referred to as the fallacy of division) is a logical fallacy in the interpretation of statistical data in an ecological stu...
Etymological fallacy
The etymological fallacy is a genetic fallacy that holds, erroneously, that the present-day meaning of a word or phrase should necessarily be similar to its historical meaning.
The etymological fallacy is a genetic fallacy that holds, erroneously, that the present-day meaning of a word or phrase should necessarily be similar to its historical meaning.
Fallacies of definition
Fallacies of definition refer to the various ways in which definitions can fail to have merit.
Fallacies of definition refer to the various ways in which definitions can fail to have merit.
Fallacy
In logic and rhetoric, a fallacy is usually an improper argumentation in reasoning often resulting in a misconception or presumption.
In logic and rhetoric, a fallacy is usually an improper argumentation in reasoning often resulting in a misconception or presumption.
Fallacy of distribution
A fallacy of distribution is a logical fallacy occurring when an argument assumes there is no difference between a term in the distributive (referring to every member of a class) and colle...
A fallacy of distribution is a logical fallacy occurring when an argument assumes there is no difference between a term in the distributive (referring to every member of a class) and colle...
Fallacy of four terms
The fallacy of four terms (quaternio terminorum) is the logical fallacy that occurs when a syllogism has four (or more) terms rather than the requisite three.
The fallacy of four terms (quaternio terminorum) is the logical fallacy that occurs when a syllogism has four (or more) terms rather than the requisite three.
Fallacy of quoting out of context
The practice of quoting out of context, sometimes referred to as "contextomy" or "quote mining", is a logical fallacy and a type of false attribution in which a passage is removed fr...
The practice of quoting out of context, sometimes referred to as "contextomy" or "quote mining", is a logical fallacy and a type of false attribution in which a passage is removed fr...
False attribution
The fallacy of a false attribution occurs when an advocate appeals to an irrelevant, unqualified, unidentified, biased or fabricated source in support of an argument.
The fallacy of a false attribution occurs when an advocate appeals to an irrelevant, unqualified, unidentified, biased or fabricated source in support of an argument.
False dilemma
A false dilemma is a type of logical fallacy that involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there is at least one additional option.
A false dilemma is a type of logical fallacy that involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there is at least one additional option.
False equivalence
False equivalence is a logical fallacy which describes a situation where there is a logical and apparent equivalence, but when in fact there is none.
False equivalence is a logical fallacy which describes a situation where there is a logical and apparent equivalence, but when in fact there is none.
False premise
A false premise is an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of a logical syllogism.
A false premise is an incorrect proposition that forms the basis of a logical syllogism.
Greedy reductionism
Greedy reductionism is a term coined by Daniel Dennett, in his 1995 book Darwin's Dangerous Idea, to refer to a kind of erroneous reductionism.
Greedy reductionism is a term coined by Daniel Dennett, in his 1995 book Darwin's Dangerous Idea, to refer to a kind of erroneous reductionism.
Halo effect
The halo effect or halo error is a cognitive bias in which our judgments of a person’s character can be influenced by our overall impression of them.
The halo effect or halo error is a cognitive bias in which our judgments of a person’s character can be influenced by our overall impression of them.
Hasty generalization
Hasty generalization is a logical fallacy of faulty generalization by reaching an inductive generalization based on insufficient evidence.
Hasty generalization is a logical fallacy of faulty generalization by reaching an inductive generalization based on insufficient evidence.
Historian's fallacy
The historian's fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when one assumes that decision makers of the past viewed events from the same perspective and having the same information as those subseq...
The historian's fallacy is a logical fallacy that occurs when one assumes that decision makers of the past viewed events from the same perspective and having the same information as those subseq...
Historical fallacy
The Historical fallacy, also called the psychological fallacy, is a logical fallacy originally described by philosopher John Dewey in 1896.
The Historical fallacy, also called the psychological fallacy, is a logical fallacy originally described by philosopher John Dewey in 1896.
Homunculus argument
The homunculus argument is a fallacy arising most commonly in the theory of vision.
The homunculus argument is a fallacy arising most commonly in the theory of vision.
Hoyle's fallacy
Hoyle's Fallacy, sometimes called the junkyard tornado, is a term for Fred Hoyle's flawed statistical analysis applied to evolutionary origins.
Hoyle's Fallacy, sometimes called the junkyard tornado, is a term for Fred Hoyle's flawed statistical analysis applied to evolutionary origins.
Idola fori
Idola fori is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Market Place", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case ...
Idola fori is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Market Place", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case ...
Idola specus
Idola specus is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Cave" (or "Idols of the Den"), coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises...
Idola specus is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Cave" (or "Idols of the Den"), coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises...
Idola theatri
Idola theatri is a Latin term that Sir Francis Bacon coined in his Novum Organum—one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science.
Idola theatri is a Latin term that Sir Francis Bacon coined in his Novum Organum—one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science.
Idola tribus
Idola tribus is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Tribe", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for t...
Idola tribus is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Tribe", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for t...
If-by-whiskey
In political discourse, if-by-whiskey is a relativist fallacy where the response to a question is contingent on the questioner's opinions and use of words with strong positive or negative connot...
In political discourse, if-by-whiskey is a relativist fallacy where the response to a question is contingent on the questioner's opinions and use of words with strong positive or negative connot...
Illusory correlation
Illusory correlation is the phenomenon of seeing the relationship one expects in a set of data even when no such relationship exists.
Illusory correlation is the phenomenon of seeing the relationship one expects in a set of data even when no such relationship exists.
Incomplete comparison
An incomplete comparison is a misleading argument popular in advertising.
An incomplete comparison is a misleading argument popular in advertising.
Inconsistent comparison
An inconsistent comparison is a misleading argument popular in advertising.
An inconsistent comparison is a misleading argument popular in advertising.
Inconsistent triad
An inconsistent triad consists of three propositions of which at most two can be true.
An inconsistent triad consists of three propositions of which at most two can be true.
Infinite regress
An infinite regress in a series of propositions arises if the truth of proposition P1 requires the support of proposition P2, the truth of proposition P2 requires the sup...
An infinite regress in a series of propositions arises if the truth of proposition P1 requires the support of proposition P2, the truth of proposition P2 requires the sup...
Intensional fallacy
In philosophical logic, the intensional fallacy is committed when one makes an illicit use of Leibniz's law in an argument.
In philosophical logic, the intensional fallacy is committed when one makes an illicit use of Leibniz's law in an argument.
Judgmental language
Judgmental language is a subset of red herring fallacies.
Judgmental language is a subset of red herring fallacies.
Ludic fallacy
The ludic fallacy is a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his 2007 book The Black Swan.
The ludic fallacy is a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his 2007 book The Black Swan.
Masked man fallacy
The masked man fallacy is a fallacy of formal logic in which substitution of identical designators in a true statement can lead to a false one.
The masked man fallacy is a fallacy of formal logic in which substitution of identical designators in a true statement can lead to a false one.
Mathematical fallacy
In mathematics, certain kinds of mistakes in proof, calculation, or derivation are often exhibited, and sometimes collected, as illustrations of the concept of mathematical fallacy.
In mathematics, certain kinds of mistakes in proof, calculation, or derivation are often exhibited, and sometimes collected, as illustrations of the concept of mathematical fallacy.
Meaningless statement
A meaningless statement is a statement which posits nothing of substance which can be agreed or disagreed with.
A meaningless statement is a statement which posits nothing of substance which can be agreed or disagreed with.
Motivated reasoning
Motivated reasoning is an emotion-biased decision-making phenomenon studied in cognitive science and social psychology.
Motivated reasoning is an emotion-biased decision-making phenomenon studied in cognitive science and social psychology.
Moving the goalposts
Moving the goalposts is a metaphor meaning changing the target of a process or competition by one side in order to gain advantage.
Moving the goalposts is a metaphor meaning changing the target of a process or competition by one side in order to gain advantage.
Nirvana fallacy
The Nirvana fallacy is the logical error of comparing actual things with unrealistic, idealized alternatives.
The Nirvana fallacy is the logical error of comparing actual things with unrealistic, idealized alternatives.
No true Scotsman
No true Scotsman is an informal logical fallacy, an ad hoc attempt to retain an unreasoned assertion.
No true Scotsman is an informal logical fallacy, an ad hoc attempt to retain an unreasoned assertion.
Non sequitur (logic)
Non sequitur, in formal logic, is an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises.
Non sequitur, in formal logic, is an argument in which its conclusion does not follow from its premises.
One-sided argument
An one-sided argument is a variant of the logical fallacy known as special pleading.
An one-sided argument is a variant of the logical fallacy known as special pleading.
Package-deal fallacy
The logical fallacy of the package deal consists of assuming that things often grouped together by tradition or culture must always be grouped that way.
The logical fallacy of the package deal consists of assuming that things often grouped together by tradition or culture must always be grouped that way.
Parade of horribles
A parade of horribles is both a literal parade and a rhetorical device.
A parade of horribles is both a literal parade and a rhetorical device.
Pathetic fallacy
The pathetic fallacy or anthropomorphic fallacy is the treatment of inanimate objects as if they had human feelings, thought, or sensations.
The pathetic fallacy or anthropomorphic fallacy is the treatment of inanimate objects as if they had human feelings, thought, or sensations.
Poisoning the well
Poisoning the well (or attempting to poison the well) is a logical fallacy where adverse information about a target is pre-emptively presented to an audience, with the intention of discred...
Poisoning the well (or attempting to poison the well) is a logical fallacy where adverse information about a target is pre-emptively presented to an audience, with the intention of discred...
Post disputation argument
A post disputation argument is an argument in which one party attempts to alter their view on the disputed facts after the answer has already been discovered by an outside medium.
A post disputation argument is an argument in which one party attempts to alter their view on the disputed facts after the answer has already been discovered by an outside medium.
Presentism (literary and historical analysis)
Presentism is a mode of literary or historical analysis in which present-day ideas and perspectives are anachronistically introduced into depictions or interpretations of the past.
Presentism is a mode of literary or historical analysis in which present-day ideas and perspectives are anachronistically introduced into depictions or interpretations of the past.
Pro hominem
To argue pro hominem is to argue for the person presenting the argument rather than to argue in favor of the argument itself.
To argue pro hominem is to argue for the person presenting the argument rather than to argue in favor of the argument itself.
Proof by assertion
Proof by assertion, sometimes informally referred to as proof by repeated assertion, is a logical fallacy in which a proposition is repeatedly restated regardless of contradiction.
Proof by assertion, sometimes informally referred to as proof by repeated assertion, is a logical fallacy in which a proposition is repeatedly restated regardless of contradiction.
Prosecutor's fallacy
The prosecutor's fallacy is a fallacy of statistical reasoning made in law.
The prosecutor's fallacy is a fallacy of statistical reasoning made in law.
Proving too much
Proving too much, in philosophy, is a logical fallacy which occurs when the conclusion reached is far beyond that which could be reasonably supported by the evidence.
Proving too much, in philosophy, is a logical fallacy which occurs when the conclusion reached is far beyond that which could be reasonably supported by the evidence.
Psychologist's fallacy
The psychologist's fallacy is a fallacy that occurs when an observer presupposes the objectivity of his own perspective when analyzing a behavioral event.
The psychologist's fallacy is a fallacy that occurs when an observer presupposes the objectivity of his own perspective when analyzing a behavioral event.
Regression fallacy
The regression (or regressive) fallacy is an informal fallacy.
The regression (or regressive) fallacy is an informal fallacy.
Reification (fallacy)
Reification is a fallacy of ambiguity, when an abstraction is treated as if it were a concrete, real event, or physical entity.
Reification is a fallacy of ambiguity, when an abstraction is treated as if it were a concrete, real event, or physical entity.
Relativist fallacy
The relativist fallacy, also known as the subjectivist fallacy, might be considered by some to be committed, when one person claims that something may be true for one person but not true f...
The relativist fallacy, also known as the subjectivist fallacy, might be considered by some to be committed, when one person claims that something may be true for one person but not true f...
Retrospective determinism
Retrospective determinism is the logical fallacy that because something happened, it was therefore bound to happen; the term was coined by the French philosopher Henri Bergson.
Retrospective determinism is the logical fallacy that because something happened, it was therefore bound to happen; the term was coined by the French philosopher Henri Bergson.
Spurious relationship
In statistics, a spurious relationship (or, sometimes, spurious correlation or spurious regression) is a mathematical relationship in which two occurrences have no causal connection,...
In statistics, a spurious relationship (or, sometimes, spurious correlation or spurious regression) is a mathematical relationship in which two occurrences have no causal connection,...
Square logic
Square Logic is a complex argument based on several non-sequitur arguments or other serious logistical fallacies.
Square Logic is a complex argument based on several non-sequitur arguments or other serious logistical fallacies.
Straw man
A straw man is a type of argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position.
A straw man is a type of argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position.
Suggestive question
A suggestive question is one that implies that a certain answer should be given in response, or falsely presents a presupposition in the question as accepted fact.
A suggestive question is one that implies that a certain answer should be given in response, or falsely presents a presupposition in the question as accepted fact.
Sunk costs
In economics and business decision-making, sunk costs are retrospective (past) costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered.
In economics and business decision-making, sunk costs are retrospective (past) costs that have already been incurred and cannot be recovered.
Suppressed correlative
The logical fallacy of suppressed correlative is a type of argument which tries to redefine a correlative (two mutually exclusive options) so that one alternative encompasses the other, i.e. mak...
The logical fallacy of suppressed correlative is a type of argument which tries to redefine a correlative (two mutually exclusive options) so that one alternative encompasses the other, i.e. mak...
Survivorship bias
Survivorship bias is the logical error of concentrating on the people or things that "survived" some process and inadvertently overlooking those that didn't because of their lack of visibility.
Survivorship bias is the logical error of concentrating on the people or things that "survived" some process and inadvertently overlooking those that didn't because of their lack of visibility.
Three men make a tiger
Three men make a tiger is a Chinese proverb or chengyu.
Three men make a tiger is a Chinese proverb or chengyu.
Trivial objections
Trivial objections (also referred to as hair-splitting, nothing but objections, barrage of objections and banal objections) is an informal logical fallacy where irrelevan...
Trivial objections (also referred to as hair-splitting, nothing but objections, barrage of objections and banal objections) is an informal logical fallacy where irrelevan...
Truthiness
Truthiness is a quality characterizing a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively "from the gut" or because it "feels right" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, ...
Truthiness is a quality characterizing a "truth" that a person claims to know intuitively "from the gut" or because it "feels right" without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, ...
Van Gogh fallacy
The Van Gogh fallacy is a type of correlation-causation fallacy.
The Van Gogh fallacy is a type of correlation-causation fallacy.
Wisdom of repugnance
The wisdom of repugnance, or the yuck factor, is the belief that an intuitive (or "deep-seated") negative response to some thing, idea or practice should be interpreted as evidence for the...
The wisdom of repugnance, or the yuck factor, is the belief that an intuitive (or "deep-seated") negative response to some thing, idea or practice should be interpreted as evidence for the...