Logical Fallacies in Argumentation

Logical Fallacies in Argumentation

What are logical fallacies? Logical fallacies are flaws in argumentation or reasoning, which either distort or misrepresent the truth. (In debate it often considered rude or insulting to use them in rounds, and very frequently lead to muddy debates). Here are a few types and their explanations:

1) Straw Man-This is the name for twisting or misrepresenting an argument purposefully by making it seem weaker or harder to defend then it actually is (hence the name “straw”).

For example: if Person A were to say “a good society needs equality” and Person B were to reply that “ communism is bad for society” Person B has made a straw man argument by misrepresenting “equality” with a complete sharing of resources, or communism. Person B has not really addressed the argument brought by Person A, but has tried to made it appear so.

2) Ad Hominem-This logical fallacy is also called a personal attack. In short, when trying to refute an argument by Person A, Person B instead attacks Person A’s character in an attempt to discredit them and dismiss the argument, or insults the nature of the argument itself.

For example: Person A says “a good society needs equality” to which Person B responds either “you’re stupid for saying that” or “that argument is stupid” both of these statements by person B would be Ad Hominem attacks.

3) Red Herring-this form of fallacy is a distraction designed to drive attention away from an argument.

For example: Person A says “a good society needs equality” (in case you can’t tell by now person A is very stuck on this idea) to which Person B could reply any number of things such as “look up in the sky!” or perhaps something like “ you’re face is equal!” (If Person B happens to be John).

4) The Slippery Slope- this is where the impact of an argument id extrapolated to the point of being ridiculous

For example: Person A says ““a good society needs equality” (they really need to come up something new to say) and Person B could say “ but equality would lead to a complete lack of individuality creating a society of drones and leading to the devaluation of human life and nuclear war”. This is an example of a slippery slope as the conclusion that Person B draws is ridiculous.

5) Circular Logic-this is where someone justifies their argument or opinion with the same idea or opinion

For example: If someone says, “Only smart students can be debaters because all of the students on the debate are smart”. This is an example of circular logic because the rather then offering actual backing or analysis for the argument the speaker justifies it by reflecting the original statement. (Although in this case it is true that all debaters are smart)

There are other forms of logical fallacies besides these but these are the most basic and well known.