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Week 3
Becomining a Critical Thinker Chapter 6 Reasoning Errors
18
Communication
Undergraduate 1
05/13/2014

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Term
Fallacies
Definition
Errors in
reasoning. Fallacies
can be seen as
(1) reasons that seem
logical but don’t
necessarily support
the conclusion or
(2) statements that
distract listeners from
the real issue.
Term
Faulty Analogy
Definition
Comparison
of one situation or idea
to another that disregards
significant differences that
make the comparison invalid.
Term
False cause (post hoc ergo propter hoc)
Definition
A fallacy that
occurs when there is no real
proof that one event caused
another event; there is only
evidence that one event came
after another event.
Term
Correlation
Definition
A relationship
or connection between two
objects or events. Noting
a correlation is sometimes
the first step in exploring
causation, but it does not
equal causation.
Term
Causation
Definition
A connection
between two events in which
it is established that one event
caused the othe
Term
Slippery slope
Definition
A fallacy
that occurs when serious
consequences of a potential
action or policy are predicted
and not substantiated by
evidence.
Term
Straw man
Definition
A fallacy in
which an opponent’s argument
is distorted or exaggerated and
then more easily attacked
Term
Hasty conclusion
Definition
A fallacy
in which a generalization
is drawn from a small and
thus inadequate sample of
information.
Term
Self-fulfilling prophecy
Definition
A process whereby an
expectation becomes a reality.
Term
False dilemma (either-or-fallacy)
Definition
An error in reasoning that
occurs when one polarizes
a situation by presenting
only two alternatives, at two
extremes of the spectrum of
possibilities.
Term
Begging the question
Definition
A fallacy that occurs when
a speaker or writer assumes
what needs to be proven.
Term
Red herring
Definition
A fallacy in
which reasons offered to
support conclusions lead the
listener away from the issue
under consideration.
Term
Ad hominem (attacking the person)
Definition
A Latin
term meaning “to the man”
or attacking the person.
Ad hominem occurs when
a person is attacked on
a personal quality that is
irrelevant to the issue under
discussion.
Term
Two wrongs make a right
Definition
A fallacy that is used to
excuse bad behavior on the
grounds of other bad behavior;
the fallacy occurs when
someone rationalizes that one
person’s or one group’s action
is justified because some other
person’s or group’s action is
just as bad or worse.
Term
Look who’s talking
Definition
A fallacy that is committed
when someone denies a claim
because they believe the
speaker who is making the
claim is hypocritical.
Term
Ad populum
Definition
A fallacy that
consists of a false appeal to
the authority of “everyone.”
This fallacy is based on the
assumption that a course of
action should be taken or
an idea should be supported
because “everyone” is doing it
or believes it.
Term
Appeal to tradition
Definition
A fallacy that occurs
when a belief or action is
supported on the ground
that it conforms to traditional
ideas or practices.
Term
Appeal to pity
Definition
A logical
fallacy that occurs when
someone argues that others
should follow a course of
action or hold a certain belief
for no other reason than that
they should feel compassion
for the irrelevant claims or
irresponsibility of the speaker.
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