Genetic Fallacy (Main Category of Fallacy): Arguing that a claim is true or false simply because of the origin of the claim.
E.g., The budget proposal was a product of the Cato Institute. Obviously, if it's passed it will hurt the poor.
E.g., You can't trust the results of these studies on drug X, they were funded by Pfizer.
E.g., Obama's idea for the ACA came to him in a dream, so it must be horrible.
Ad hominem (against the person): When a claim is rejected or judged to be false based on an alleged character flaw of the person making the claim. A second form occurs whenever someone's statement or reasoning is attacked by way of a stereotype, such as a racial, sexual, or religious stereotype. A third form involves the use of circumstances of a person's life to reject his claims. Exception: denying someone's claim by calling them a liar and they have a reputation for being one.
Examples: Why should I believe what he says about our economy? He's not even a citizen!
You can't accept her advice. She is so old she has no idea what goes on in today's world.
Why would you listen to him? He's too young to have any wisdom about life.
Type 3: Of course Senator X thinks my administration's tax proposals are bad for the country. After all, his political party lost the last election, and everyone knows that losers are jealous.
You don't want cars to get better gas milage because you are a self-centered rich bastard who isn't affected by gas prices. All you care about it how big your engine is.
Of course you think that people should take drugs. You work for a pharmaceutical company and you make more money if more people take drugs.
Notice in all cases, the issue is not being addressed by bringing up reasons for or against the position, rather it is the person or their circumstances that is being criticized.
Poisoning the Well: Pre-emptive ad hominem to discredit the opponent before they make their point.
Why would you listen to him? He's too young to have any wisdom about life.
Type 3: Of course Senator X thinks my administration's tax proposals are bad for the country. After all, his political party lost the last election, and everyone knows that losers are jealous.
You don't want cars to get better gas milage because you are a self-centered rich bastard who isn't affected by gas prices. All you care about it how big your engine is.
Of course you think that people should take drugs. You work for a pharmaceutical company and you make more money if more people take drugs.
Notice in all cases, the issue is not being addressed by bringing up reasons for or against the position, rather it is the person or their circumstances that is being criticized.
Poisoning the Well: Pre-emptive ad hominem to discredit the opponent before they make their point.
Eg. "Only an ignoramus would disagree with fluoridating water."
Tu Quoque: Another variety of ad hominem fallacy in which one person attempts to avoid the issue at hand by claiming the other person is a hypocrite.
Examples:You're always telling us to do our homework and study but you never did your homework when you were an undergrad.
Many Arab countries put house their prisoners in inhumane conditions. Who are they to lecture us about our prison practices?
Argumentum Ad Populum/Bandwagon Effect:
Ad Populum: Appeal to the people
This fallacy is committed when the arguer appeals to popular opinion to support their claim.
Tu Quoque: Another variety of ad hominem fallacy in which one person attempts to avoid the issue at hand by claiming the other person is a hypocrite.
Examples:You're always telling us to do our homework and study but you never did your homework when you were an undergrad.
Many Arab countries put house their prisoners in inhumane conditions. Who are they to lecture us about our prison practices?
Argumentum Ad Populum/Bandwagon Effect:
Ad Populum: Appeal to the people
This fallacy is committed when the arguer appeals to popular opinion to support their claim.
Eg. (Historically) Everybody agrees that group x shouldn't have equal rights, therefore they shouldn't have them.Eg. Most people agree that vitamin C cures the common cold. Therefore, you should take it.
Eg. Most people agree that Hondas are better than Fords.
Bandwagon Effect (variation of argument from popularity)
Eg. Most people agree that Hondas are better than Fords.
Bandwagon Effect (variation of argument from popularity)
Often used in advertising through images of beautiful/happy people using a product...”you can be like us too!”
Appeal to Emotions: When the arguer tries to elicit feelings of pity, outrage, compassion, pride, nationalism, etc...instead of providing reasons for or against a position.
Appeal to Emotions: When the arguer tries to elicit feelings of pity, outrage, compassion, pride, nationalism, etc...instead of providing reasons for or against a position.
Examples:
The new PowerTangerine computer gives you the power you need. If you buy one, people will envy your power. They will look up to you and wish they were just like you. You will know the true joy of power. TangerinePower.
The new UltraSkinny diet will make you feel great. No longer be troubled by your weight. Enjoy the admiring stares of the opposite sex. Revel in your new freedom from fat. You will know true happiness if you try our diet!
Charities use this a lot in their advertising.
Give Bob a lighter sentence because he's an orphan that grew up in hardship. Have a heart! Debatable cases: when human emotions are an important factor in the issue.
Appeal to Force: When the arguer essentially presents a threat of force instead of a reason for accepting a position.
Examples:
If you don't get rid of your chemical weapons we will bomb you.Non-sequitur (missing the point): Generic catch all for arguments where the conclusion doesn't follow from the premises and the premises seem to suggest a different conclusion should be drawn.
Examples:
Professor Brown is a really hard grader. Not only does he force you to attend class, participate in discussion, and do homework. He actually expects us to think about the material outside of class. So, you can believe that his class teaches students nothing about real life.
Ami likes cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. He should eat more vegetables.
Appeal to (Unqualified) Authority (Arugmentum Ad Verecundiam—Arg. from reverence or respect):
Celebrity endorsements: Jenny McCarthy on vaccines, Oprah on psychology and medicine.
Appeal to Tradition/Ancient Authority
Examples:
Professor Brown is a really hard grader. Not only does he force you to attend class, participate in discussion, and do homework. He actually expects us to think about the material outside of class. So, you can believe that his class teaches students nothing about real life.
Ami likes cheese, ice cream, and yogurt. He should eat more vegetables.
Appeal to (Unqualified) Authority (Arugmentum Ad Verecundiam—Arg. from reverence or respect):
Celebrity endorsements: Jenny McCarthy on vaccines, Oprah on psychology and medicine.
Appeal to Tradition/Ancient Authority
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