MEPX
Chapter 8 of 10All chapters
  1. 1What an argument is
  2. 2Validity and soundness
  3. 3If, then
  4. 4All, some, none
  5. 5Necessary and sufficient
  6. 6Deduction against induction
  7. 7Formal fallacies
  8. 8Informal fallacies
  9. 9Logic puzzles
  10. 10Using it in real arguments

Chapter 8 of 10

Informal fallacies

Wrong for reasons other than structure.

The frequent ones

Attacking the person rather than the claim. Rebutting a weakened version of the argument. Assuming what you set out to prove. Presenting two options where more exist.

  • A false dichotomy is defeated by naming a third option.
  • Appeal to authority is legitimate when the authority is genuinely expert and speaking in their field.

Naming is not winning

Labelling something a fallacy does not answer it. Say what is wrong and why, or the label is just a rhetorical move of its own.