Identifying Logical Fallacies Flashcards

A politician argues: 'My opponent has never run a business, so his economic policies will fail.' Which fallacy does this commit?

Answer: Ad hominem (circumstantial)

This is a circumstantial ad hominem — attacking the opponent's background rather than evaluating the policies on their merits.

An argument concludes: 'Studies show coffee drinkers are more productive, therefore drinking coffee causes productivity.' What is the error?

Answer: Correlation-causation fallacy

Inferring causation from correlation is the correlation-causation fallacy; the link may be explained by confounding variables.

'Everyone I know prefers streaming over cable, so most Americans must prefer streaming.' This reasoning is flawed because it commits:

Answer: Hasty generalization

Drawing a broad conclusion from a small, unrepresentative sample is a hasty generalization.

A debater says: 'If we allow students to retake one exam, soon they'll demand to retake every assignment and grades will become meaningless.' This is an example of:

Answer: Slippery slope

The slippery slope fallacy assumes that one moderate step will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without evidence.

Which of the following best illustrates the 'appeal to ignorance' fallacy?

Answer: 'No one has proven ghosts don't exist, so they must be real.'

Appeal to ignorance (argumentum ad ignorantiam) treats the absence of disproof as proof of a claim.

An essay argues: 'Freedom of speech is essential. Therefore, companies should be forced to host any speech on their platforms.' The logical error here is:

Answer: Non sequitur

The conclusion does not logically follow from the premise — the principle of free speech does not automatically obligate private companies.

When an arguer redefines 'success' mid-argument to avoid a counterexample, they are committing:

Answer: Moving the goalposts

Moving the goalposts involves changing the criteria for success after the original standard has been met or challenged.