Logical Fallacies
1. Ad Hominem (Attack on the person)
Instead of addressing the argument, the person attacks the individual.
Example: "He’s not a good scholar, so his argument is wrong."
2. Ad Misericordiam (Appeal to pity)
Uses sympathy instead of logic.
Example: "Please pass me, I had a tough time."
3. Ad Populum (Appeal to popularity)
Claims something is true because many people believe it.
Example: "Everyone uses this book, so it must be the best."
4. Ad Baculum (Appeal to force or threat)
Uses fear or threats to make someone agree.
Example: "Accept this theory, or you’ll fail the exam."
5. Ad Verecundiam (Appeal to authority)
Relies on authority instead of evidence.
Example: "A famous professor said it, so it must be true."
6. Straw Man Fallacy
Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.
Example: "He says study less, so he doesn’t care about education."
7. False Cause (Post Hoc)
Assuming one thing caused another just because it came first.
Example: "I wore lucky clothes and passed, so they caused my success."
8. Hasty Generalization
Drawing a broad conclusion from limited evidence.
Example: "Two students failed, so the exam was unfair."
9. False Dilemma (Either–Or Fallacy)
Presenting only two options when more exist.
Example: "Either you study 10 hours or you will fail."
10. Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question)
The conclusion is already assumed in the premise.
Example: "This book is good because it is the best."
Summary
- Focus on identifying patterns in questions.
- Look for emotional appeals, authority, or threats in statements.