Category: Level 3 pages

Sometimes called the “either-or” fallacy, a false dilemma is a logical fallacy that presents only two options or sides to an issue when there are actually more complexities. Essentially, a false dilemma presents a “black and...

The hasty generalization fallacy is sometimes called the over-generalization fallacy. This fallacy occurs when an argument is based on a body of evidence that is simply too small. For instance, if your uncle was a lifelong...

An appeal to fear fallacy occurs when someone uses fear to drive a response to an argument. Typically, fear is used to make a decision or position seem fraught with negative consequences. Often, an...

Ad hominem means “against the man,” and this type of fallacy is sometimes called name calling or the personal attack fallacy. An ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person instead of attacking his...

A slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone claims that a position or decision will lead to a series of unintended negative consequences. These negative consequences are often bad and/or increasingly outlandish. The person using...

The bandwagon fallacy is also sometimes called the appeal to common belief or appeal to the masses because it’s all about getting people to do or think something because “everyone else is doing it” or “everything else...

A guilt by association fallacy occurs when someone connects an opponent to a demonized group of people or to a bad person in order to discredit his or her argument. The idea is that...