Philosophy
This statement is a clear oversimplification ? even if it happens to be true the argument still is an example of formal fallacy. You should always remember that fallacies do not address the conclusion itself but judge the whole argument regardless of what the conclusion is. Note that some arguments which are not fallacious contain a false conclusion! It is illustrated by the example:
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If you've paid attention to the kind of discourse that's become increasingly popular over the past few years, you may have noticed that it seems we have made the unfortunate choice to collectively sacrifice evidence and reason in favor of ideology...
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Philosophy
Logical fallacies classification - formal and informal fallacies
Logical fallacies are classified in many different ways since there is still no agreement between thinkers for that matter. What are logical fallacies? The best definition of a fallacy in logic is an argument with poor reasoning (critical thinking rules can easily unmask flawed conclusions). The most basic classification divides logical fallacies into two main groups ? formal fallacies and informal fallacies.
Formal fallacy simply describes an error in a logical form of an argument. One of the most common formal fallacies is known as proof by example. It occurs when the speaker (or writer) uses an example to make overgeneralisations (this fallacy is often used in propaganda). Consider the following example:
Jews I know are rich therefore all Jews earn above average.
No man can live more than 100 years. Therefore Jiroemon Kimura is less than 100 years old.
Conclusion is logical but since the premises of the argument are false they lead (logically) to the false conclusion (Mr. Kimura is in fact 116 years old).
Informal fallacy definition is that while it is logically valid, its technical structure (such as use of words) is misleading or unclear which makes the argument fallacious. The common example of informal fallacy is equivocation which occurs when the same word used in the argument carries two separate meanings (appeal to novelty is also an informal fallacy). Consider the following argument:
You can use sharp things to cut paper. Christopher has a sharp mind ? therefore you can cut paper with Christopher?s mind.
The absurdity of this argument is more than obvious but the argument is valid as the conclusion follows from the premises. What is more, both premises are true. However, the argument is fallacious due to equivocation ? an example of informal fallacy. Notice that the same reasoning applied in this argument may does not make it fallacious:
You may get fat if you eat many sweets. Christopher eats many sweets therefore he may get fat.
This argument is very reasonable and not fallacious despite the fact it uses the same reasoning pattern as the previous argument. Therefore you cannot distinguish between fallacious and non fallacious arguments by considering a reasoning pattern only.
This classification of fallacies is of course very basic. In fact, within the two main groups ? formal and informal fallacies there are many other subgroups. I will introduce them in the next posts so you can have a clear view on the whole ?tree? of fallacies. If you enjoyed the post don?t hesitate to like Mind and Philosophy Facebook page!
- Valid Arguments Vs. Sound Arguments
Validity and soundness are one of the most important terms in logic. How to distinguish between deductively valid and invalid arguments as well as between sound and unsound arguments? The definition is very much straightforward and it is all that is needed...
- 5 Invalid Arguments That God Does Not Exist
We have already dealt with some logical fallacies and you know how to classify them. Logical fallacies are often used in advertisement and politics but are even more explicit when it comes to religious debates. ?Does God exist?? is one of the oldest philosophical...
- Bill O'reilly's Logical Blunders
It's difficult to overstate the importance of the skills associated with critical thinking. Obviously, you want to have the ability and the know-how to recognize and evaluate the quality of arguments and the evidence provided to support them fairly,...
- Logical Fallacies
If you've paid attention to the kind of discourse that's become increasingly popular over the past few years, you may have noticed that it seems we have made the unfortunate choice to collectively sacrifice evidence and reason in favor of ideology...
- Internet And The Logic Of Interaction And Information
What can I say, Internet participants have probably violated every informal logic fallacy. As a review... Informal Fallacies...