10+ Logical Fallacies to Know, With Definitions and Examples

Fallacies is an error in reasoning that makes an argument sound like true but actually, it’s a false statement. In simpler terms, a fallacy is a misleading argument that tricks you into accepting something as true even though it isn’t. Fallacies create the illusion of a strong connection between the evidence and the conclusion, even though the link is flawed. Logical fallacies are everywhere. Once you know how to recognize them, you’ll notice just how common they are and how they can undermine the point their writer is attempting to make. They create the illusion of a strong connection between the evidence and the conclusion, even though the link is faulty.

In this blog, we will learn about the Fallacies, their definitions, and examples.

What is a Logical Fallacy?

A logical fallacy is an argument that can be disproven through reasoning. This is different from a subjective argument or one that can be disproven with facts; for a position to be a logical fallacy, it must be logically flawed or deceptive in some way. Logical fallacies are flaws in reasoning that make an argument seem convincing while being invalid. They create the illusion of a strong connection between the evidence and the conclusion, even though the link is flawed. They often manipulate emotions, use irrelevant information, or employ flawed structures to mislead the audience.

History of Logical Fallacies

Logical fallacies are likely as old as language itself, but they were first recognized as such in the Nyaya-Sutras, the foundational text of the Nyaya school of Hindu philosophy. This text, written somewhere between the 6th century BCE and the 2nd century CE and attributed to Aksapada Gautama, identified five distinct ways that an argument could be logically flawed.

Greek philosopher Aristotle also wrote about logical fallacies. He identified thirteen fallacies, divided into verbal and material fallacies, in his work Sophistical Refutations. By Aristotle’s definition, a verbal fallacy is one where the language used is ambiguous or incorrect, and a material fallacy is an argument that involves faulty or flawed reasoning.

15 Common Types of Logical Fallacies

Below are the types of logical fallacies with definitions and examples :

Type	Definition	Example
Ad hominem	An ad hominem fallacy attempts to invalidate an opponent’s position based on a personal trait or fact about the opponent rather than through logic.	Katherine is a bad choice for mayor because she didn’t grow up in this town.
Red herring	A red herring is an attempt to shift focus from the debate at hand by introducing an irrelevant point.	Losing a tooth can be scary, but have you heard about the Tooth Fairy?
Straw man	A straw man argument argues against a hyperbolic, inaccurate version of the opposition rather than their actual argument.	Erin thinks we need to stop using all plastics, right now, to save the planet from climate change.
Equivocation	An equivocation is a statement crafted to mislead or confuse readers or listeners by using multiple meanings or interpretations of a word or simply through unclear phrasing.	While I have a clear plan for the campus budget that accounts for every dollar spent, my opponent simply wants to throw money at special interest projects.
Slippery slope	With a slippery slope fallacy, the arguer claims a specific series of events will follow one starting point, typically with no supporting evidence for this chain of events.	If we make an exception for Bijal’s service dog, then other people will want to bring their dogs. Then everybody will bring their dog, and before you know it, our restaurant will be overrun with dogs, their slobber, their hair, and all the noise they make, and nobody will want to eat here anymore.
Hasty generalization	A hasty generalization is a statement made after considering just one or a few examples rather than relying on more extensive research to back up the claim. It’s important to keep in mind that what constitutes sufficient research depends on the issue at hand and the statement being made about it.	I felt nauseated both times I ate pizza from Georgio’s, so I must be allergic to something in pizza.
Appeal to Authority	In an appeal to authority, the arguer claims an authority figure’s expertise to support a claim despite this expertise being irrelevant or overstated.	If you want to be healthy, you need to stop drinking coffee. I read it on a fitness blog.
False Dilemma	A false dilemma, also known as a false dichotomy, claims there are only two options in a given situation. Often, these two options are extreme opposites of each other, failing to acknowledge that other, more reasonable, options exist.	If you don’t support my decision, you were never really my friend.
Bandwagon fallacy	With the bandwagon fallacy, the arguer claims that a certain action is the right thing to do because it’s popular.	Of course, it’s fine to wait until the last minute to write your paper. Everybody does it!
Appeal to ignorance	An appeal to ignorance is a claim that something must be true because it hasn’t been proven false. It can also be a claim that something must be false because it hasn’t been proven true. This is also known as the burden of proof fallacy.	There must be fairies living in our attic because nobody’s ever proven that there aren’t fairies living in our attic.
Circular argument	A circular argument uses the same statement as both the premise and the conclusion. No new information or justification is introduced.	Peppers are the easiest vegetable to grow because I think peppers are the easiest vegetable to grow.
Sunk cost fallacy	With the sunk cost fallacy, the arguer justifies their decision to continue a specific course of action by the amount of time or money they’ve already spent on it.	I’m not enjoying this book, but I bought it, so I have to finish reading it.
Appeal to pity	An appeal to pity attempts to sway a reader’s or listener’s opinion by provoking them emotionally.	I know I should have been on time for the interview, but I woke up late and felt bad about it, and then the stress of being late made it hard to concentrate on driving here.
Causal Fallacy	A causal fallacy implies a relationship between two things where one can’t be proven.	When ice cream sales are up, so are shark attacks. Therefore, buying ice cream increases your risk of being bitten by a shark.
Appeal to hypocrisy	An appeal to hypocrisy, also known as a tu quoque fallacy, is a rebuttal that responds to one claim with reactive criticism rather than with a response to the claim itself.	“You don’t have enough experience to be the new leader.” “Neither do you!”

Logical Fallacy Examples

Below are the examples of logical fallacy :

• Ad Hominem: “Don’t listen to their climate change arguments, they drive a gas-guzzling SUV!” This fallacy attacks the person making the argument instead of addressing the merits of their claims, diverting attention from the actual issue.
• Appeal to Tradition: “We’ve always done it this way, so why change now?” This fallacy assumes that tradition alone justifies continuing a practice, regardless of its potential drawbacks or the possibility of better alternatives.
• Straw Man: “You claim all vaccines are dangerous, but I support safe and effective vaccines!” This fallacy misrepresents an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack, often by exaggerating or distorting their actual position.
• Appeal to Authority: “This celebrity endorses this product, so it must be good!” This fallacy assumes that someone’s fame or expertise in one area automatically translates to knowledge and credibility in another unrelated field.
• Red Herring: “Sure, gun violence is a problem, but what about mental health?” This fallacy introduces an irrelevant topic to distract from the original issue, attempting to shift the focus of the discussion.

Where Can I Find Logical Fallacies?

You’ll find logical fallacies anywhere you find people debating, especially in spaces that aren’t academic or professional. We can almost guarantee that you’ve encountered logical fallacies on social media, especially in the comments under divisive posts. But keep in mind that they can and often do appear in academic writing, especially in the kinds of writing where the author has to defend a position, like argumentative essays and persuasive writing. They can even show up in expository writing.

Logical fallacies aren’t restricted to just one age group, political affiliation, gender, race, religion, subculture, or other shared characteristic—they’re universally human. Our brains aren’t perfect, and even smart people can fall prey to making logically inconsistent statements and arguments. Usually, people make these kinds of statements because they haven’t taken the time to think through them logically, not because they intend to make flawed arguments. But in some cases, the writer or speaker does intend to make a flawed argument, usually in an attempt to sway readers’ opinions or make their opposition look like words.

How to Avoid Using Logical Fallacies

• Be clear about your claims and evidence: What are you trying to prove? What facts, statistics, or examples support your claim? Ensure your evidence is relevant, reliable, and unbiased.
• Consider alternative perspectives: Think about how others might view your argument and what counter-arguments they might have. If you can anticipate and address them, your argument will be stronger.
• Focus on reason, not emotion: Avoid appealing to people’s emotions or using inflammatory language. Stick to clear and concise reasoning based on evidence.
• Avoid hasty generalizations: Don’t draw broad conclusions based on limited information or anecdotal evidence. Make sure your conclusions are supported by sufficient and representative data.
• Stay on topic: Don’t introduce irrelevant information or distract from the main issue.
• Be mindful of your language: Avoid using loaded words, ambiguous phrases, or misleading jargon. Be precise and objective in your communication.
• While speaking or writing:
• Acknowledge opposing viewpoints: Show that you understand and respect other perspectives, even if you disagree with them. This demonstrates open-mindedness and strengthens your credibility.
• Be open to feedback: Be willing to revise your argument if someone points out a logical fallacy. Be willing to admit if you’re wrong, and be flexible in your approach.
• Check your sources: If you’re using information from other sources, make sure to properly cite them. This allows your audience to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Logical Fallacies – FAQs

What are the two types of logical fallacies?

There are two types of fallacies: formal and informal.

Formal: Formal fallacies are arguments that have invalid structure, form, or context errors.

Informal: Informal fallacies are arguments that have irrelevant or incorrect premises.

What is a basic fallacy?

Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim.

What is Popular fallacy?

Popular fallacy refers to a claim that something is true simply because that’s what a large number of people believe. In other words, if many people believe something to be true, then it must be true.