Logical Fallacies Mere Assertion Mere Essay

occurred after a, then it necessarily means that a caused B, even though there might not be any actual connection between the two events. The false cause fallacy commonly occurs in arguments for the efficacy of prayer, which suppose that because a certain desirable thing happened (or an undesirable thing did not happen) after someone prayed, then it necessarily means that their prayer caused (or prevented) thus event.

Sweeping Generalization

The fallacy of sweeping generalization is simply an application of inductive logic without a sufficiently large sample size, because it occurs when one makes a claim about something based on insufficient evidence. This is related to the biased sample fallacy, which occurs when someone makes a claim based on a biased set of evidence, but the sweeping generalization fallacy can occur with or without intentional bias.

Slippery Slope

The slippery slope fallacy occurs in an argument when someone proposes that something will necessarily follow from another in a sequence of events that culminates in a substantial effect born out of a small initial event, without providing adequate evidence to suggest that each step in the chain of causality is reasonable.The slippery slope argument occurs frequently in discussions of public policy, because it is an effective way to disparage an opponents position without having to discuss the actual position; it is far easier to claim that a certain policy will cascade into disaster in the future rather than provide evidence for why the policy's immediate effects would be detrimental.

Equivocation or Changing Meanings

Equivocation or changing meanings is the process by which an argument is made that depends upon the multiple meanings of a word, and in particular in using a word while remaining ambiguous as to which meaning is intended. This fallacy can take a number of different forms, although all of them depend upon an ambiguity of meaning, which can arise from actually distinct definitions or differences in literal and metaphorical meaning.

References

Aristotle. (2012). On sophistical refutations. New York: Kessinger Publishing.

Gula, R. (2007). Nonsense: Red herrings, straw men and sacred cows. Mount Jackson: Axios

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Labossiere, M. (1995). Fallacies. Retrieved from http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/.....