Fallacy is reasoning that seems logical and true, but there is some flaw that makes it false.
The fallacy was a resource used by Aristotle, by Scholasticism, by Demagogy and serves as a figure of speech in discourses and argumentative themes.
Meaning
The word comes from the Latin term “fallacy”, that which deceives or deceives. In this way, fallacy will be something misleading.
Fallacies are constructed by apparently correct reasoning that leads to false conclusions. This type of argument is very present in the essay texts.
Scarecrow's Fallacy
The scarecrow's fallacy consists in distorting an argument and thus using it to attack the interlocutor.
Example:
Maria: The anti-drug policy needs to be rethought.
Peter: Here comes these people saying that the best thing is to release drugs.
Maria says that we need to rethink the way we fight narcotics. Pedro, however, already interprets the argument as if she had said that the best thing would be to release any kind of illicit substance.
If a person is unaware of Maria's speech, he will think that she defends the liberation of drugs, something that was never said by her.
Fallacy ad hominem
This fallacy is intended to attack the person who uttered the argument. Therefore, it is considered ad hominen, Latin expression that means against man.
Example: X: I'm in favor of gay marriage.
Y: Only an ignorant person like you could be in favor of it.
Note that Y does not seek to refute the argument itself, "gay marriage", but goes into an assault on X, calling him ignorant.
Scottish fallacy
It consists of presenting an argument and its counterargument. In this way, the initial argument becomes invalid.
Every true Scotsman likes whiskey
My father is Scottish and doesn't like whiskey.
So your father is not a real Scotsman.
The premise for being a "true Scotsman" is to like whiskey and anyone who does not share this opinion will naturally be excluded from being a "true Scotsman".
Here we have a case of premises that can lead to wrong conclusions as we see with Aristotle.
Skidding Fallacy (or Snowball)
From a fact, the interlocutor always increases it in order to end the proposed argument.
Example: If we legalize the use of marijuana everyone will want to try it, they will soon be addicted and society will turn into a bunch of drugged zombies roaming the streets.
Without any factual or scientific proof, the fact of legalizing marijuana, extending its use to the entire society, is exaggerated.
Types of Fallacy
In addition to the examples of fallacies above, there are other types that constantly appear in political speeches, leaders who appeal to demagogy, and everyday conversations.
Here are some of them:
Appeal to ignorance
In this case, we want a conclusion to be accepted because no evidence is found against the argument.
Examples: There are ghosts in Pedro's house.
Nobody can dispute this statement because it is not possible to concretely prove the existence of ghosts.
Composition
It consists in attributing characteristics of an element to the whole that is integrated.
Example: João plays football very well and his team will always win.
Just because João plays well doesn't mean that his entire team will do the same.
Division
Unlike composition, it consists in giving characteristics of the whole to just one element.
Example: Barcelona are the best team in the world and João will be a great player there.
In this case, it is not enough for Barcelona to be a great team to make an individual a good athlete there. It is often just the opposite.
read more:
- Sophistry
- Animal Revolution
- scholastic
- Syllogism
- Populism