Fallacies in logical reasoning

List of important Fallacies in logical reasoning.

The logical fallacies are the common errors or defects in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or misleading. These types of errors happens intentionally or unintentionally. If the defect is intentional it called as a sophism. Understanding about logical fallacies helps the people identify weak or manipulative arguments. Formal fallacies and informal fallacies are two major types of fallacies which describes the different errors in the arguments.

 A)Formal fallacies (Deductive fallacies)

This type of error occurs with the arguments of invalid structure, form or context errors.

Example for formal fallacies

All men are mortal

Socrates is mortal.

Therefore, Socrates is a man. (This conclusion does not logically follow from the premises.)

B) Informal fallacies (Inductive fallacies)

An informal fallacy is a fallacy that is caused by content and context of an argument.

Following are the types of informal fallacies.

1)Ad hominem 

An ad hominem fallacy is a type of logical fallacy in which someone attacks the character or personal attributes of their opponent rather than addressing the substance of their argument. This fallacy attempts to defeat an argument by focusing on irrelevant personal characteristics.

2)Straw man fallacy

 strawman fallacy is a common logical fallacy where someone distorts or misrepresents their opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, rather than addressing the actual argument presented. 

3)Appeal to Emotion

An appeal to emotion is a type of logical fallacy in which an argument relies on emotional responses rather than factual evidence, this fallacy seeks to manipulate the emotions of the audience to win the agreement. 

4)Hasty generalization 

A hasty generalization is a type of logical fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from insufficient or biased evidence. This fallacy occurs when someone makes a broad generalization about a person based on a small or unrepresentative sample. It's important to avoid hasty generalizations because they can lead to inaccurate and unfair judgements. 

Circular reasoning

In this fallacy conclusion of an argument is included in the premises or is assumed without providing any new information. Essentially, it's when someone uses their own statement to support their argument without offering any external evidence or valid reasoning.

6)Appeal to Authority

When statement is considered true because it is made by someone who is considered an authority on the topic.

7)False Cause (Post Hoc)

 A false cause fallacy, also known as the post hoc fallacy or the correlation-causation fallacy, occurs when someone mistakenly assumes that because one event follows another, the first event must have caused the second event. 

8)Black-and-White Fallacy (False Dilemma)

 Presenting a situation as if there are only two possible outcomes or options when there are more.

9)Appeal to Tradition

Arguing that something is right or good because it's traditional or has been done for a long time.

10)Slippery Slope

 Arguing that a small first step will lead to a chain of events with significanlt negative consequences.

11) Fallacy of composition

This fallacy occurs when we assume that if all the parts have a given quality, then the whole of the parts will have it as well. We jump to a conclusion without concrete evidence.

12) Fallacy of division

It is opposite of composition fallacy. A division fallacy occurs when we think the parts of the whole contain the same quality as the whole.

13) Fallacy of accident

Fallacy that is committed when a genaral rule is applied to specific case it was never meant to cover.

Recognising these fallacies can help you think critically, evaluate arguments, and engage in more effective and rational discussions. It's essential to avoid using logical fallacies in your own arguments to maintain their validity and persuasiveness.