Transcript Logical Fallacies

A logical fallacy is an element of an argument that is
flawed, essentially rendering the line of reasoning, if
not the entire argument, invalid. You often times see
logical fallacies used in politics and advertising.
Examples
 Ad Hominem
 False Analogy
 Red Herring
 Bandwagon
 Overgeneralization
 Transference
 Euphemism
 Testimonial
 Appeal to Fear
Ad Hominem
 Translated from the Latin for, “To the man”, an ad
hominum argument is just that. When an argument
starts getting personal and attacks are made against a
person, rather than to support an argument, that is an
ad hominum logical fallacy. In any situation,
mudslinging is a poor substitute for a well-reasoned
argument.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddLbqCQPEIw&pl
aynext=1&list=PL95AE950CAED5F237&index=3
False Analogy
 This logical fallacy disregards significant
dissimilarities and wrongly implies that , because two
items are similar in some respects, that they are
therefore, similar in all respects.
 For example: When comparing (arguing) the health
risks of marijuana use and tobacco use and finding
some similarities between the two does not mean that
they pose the same risks in other aspects, such as using
them while driving.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60NSO9pJyVI&fea
ture=related
Red Herring
 A red herring is an intentional detour from an issue.
Example: in an argument regarding condoms in
school, one may try to argue that parents should be
responsible for providing their children with sexually
related information. While that may be true, it does
not address the issue of whether condoms should be
available in school.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exdK7Lirngg
Bandwagon
 This logical fallacy creates the impression that
everybody is doing it and so should you.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaXOttV2VJ0&feat
ure=related
Overgeneralization
 This logical fallacy is an error in reasoning which
comes about by making a logical leap far greater than
what the data allows.
For example: “I just read that three kids were arrested
yesterday at Borchard Park for drug possession. Teens
in this country are really going downhill!”
OR
“Teenagers are bad drivers.”
(Parents car insurance rates can spike anywhere from 50200 % higher once a teen driver is included on the
policy.)
Transference
 In this technique, qualities of a known person are associated with a
product to promote or demote it. Linking an item to a respected person
is positive transfer. Creating an analogy between a disliked person and
a product is negative transfer. It is also used during war times.
 Example: “Cleanliness is next to Fordliness.” (Brave New World p. 111)
 Political Examples: Negative Transference: Swastika (associated with
Nazis) Positive Transference: American Flag
 Using Cowboys in Marlboro commercials to
relate cigarettes and cowboys.
 Middle aged women in house hold cleaning
product commercials
Euphemism
 Substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one
considered harsh, blunt, or offensive
 Political Euphemisms are designed to sway public opinion
 Examples include:
Undocumented Workers (illegal aliens)
Enhanced Interrogation (torture)
Extrajudicial Execution (assassination, murder)
Legislatively Directed Spending (earmarks or political "pork")
Pro-life or Pro-Choice (Abortion)
Testimonial
 This propaganda technique uses words of an expert or a
famous person to promote a particular idea. For example, a
sports person is shown recommending a brand of sport
shoes. Generally, people identify themselves to some
celebrated figure. So celebrities are used to advertise
certain products.
Appeal to Fear
This propaganda technique attempts to create support for
an idea by using deception and propaganda in attempt to
increase fear and prejudice toward a competitor