Logically Fallacious Resources
Informal fallacies in everyday reasoning
Informal fallacies are common because they can sound persuasive even when the argument does not actually support the conclusion.
Content matters
Unlike formal fallacies, informal fallacies usually require you to look at meaning, context, evidence, and assumptions.
Everyday use
Informal fallacies are especially common in debate, persuasion, advertising, online arguments, and political rhetoric.
Related fallacies
See all fallaciesAppeal to Pity
The attempt to distract from the truth of the conclusion by the use of pity.
Appeal to Popularity
Using the popularity of a premise or proposition as evidence for its truthfulness. This is a fallacy which is very difficult to spot because our “common sense” tells us that if something is popular, it must be good/true/valid, but this is not so, especially in a society where clever marketing, social and political weight, and money can buy popularity.
Begging the Question
Any form of argument where the conclusion is assumed in one of the premises. Many people use the phrase “begging the question” incorrectly when they use it to mean, “prompts one to ask the question”. That is NOT the correct usage. Begging the question is a form of circular reasoning.
False Dilemma
When only two choices are presented yet more exist, or a spectrum of possible choices exists between two extremes. False dilemmas are usually characterized by “either this or that” language, but can also be characterized by omissions of choices. Another variety is the false trilemma, which is when three choices are presented when more exist.
Equivocation
Using an ambiguous term in more than one sense, thus making an argument misleading.
Hasty Generalization
Drawing a conclusion based on a small sample size, rather than looking at statistics that are much more in line with the typical or average situation.