logical fallacies
Invalid argument patterns
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine an argument's validity.
They may involve faulty structure (circular reasoning, false dilemmas) or irrelevant appeals (to emotion, authority, popularity).
Recognizing fallacies is central to critical thinking: The ad relies on logical fallacies rather than evidence.
A single fallacy can collapse an otherwise persuasive case.
Quality of being sound
- soundnessReliability of structure
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
deduction · induction · syllogism · counterexample · cogency · coherence · rebuttal · refutation
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- persuasionConvincing through reasoning
spin · fearmongering · scapegoating · narrative · indoctrination · agitprop · demagoguery
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
- concessionYielding a point
cross-examination · gotcha · whataboutism · deflection · sealioning · derailing
validity
Quality of being sound
- soundnessReliability of structure
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- conclusionEnd or deduction
inference · deduction · induction · syllogism · counterexample · cogency · coherence · rebuttal · refutation · argumentation
misinformation
False data spread unintentionally
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
persuasion · spin · fearmongering · scapegoating · narrative · indoctrination · agitprop · demagoguery
rebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- refutationDisproving a statement
- objectionExpression of disapproval
concession · cross-examination · gotcha · whataboutism · deflection · sealioning · derailing
anchoring
Fastening securely to position
- blindspotZone beyond perception
- reasoningreasoning, reason, inference, deductive, analysis
- critical thinkingcritical thinking, reasoning, analysis, inference, argument
- logicpremise, premises, conclusion, conclusions, inference
- philosophy termstruth, reason, knowledge, wisdom, ethics
- Debate Skillsargument, rebuttal, persuasion, evidence, reasoning
- Logic Typesformal reasoning, deduction, induction, validity, soundness
logical fallaciescritical thinking
Objective evaluation of information
scientific method · evidence-based reasoning · intellectual rigor · clear thinking · empirical verification
logic, logical, illogical, fallacy, fallacious, illogically, logician, illogicality, fallibility