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Logical fallacies: Difference between revisions
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'''A logical fallacy is an argument that may sound convincing or true but is actually flawed.''' While they may seem convincing at first, logical fallacies often fall apart under scrutiny. | '''A logical fallacy is an argument that may sound convincing or true but is actually flawed.''' While they may seem convincing at first, logical fallacies often fall apart under scrutiny. Logical fallacies have long been used in debates to weaken an opponent's argument by pointing out its flaws. As with the development of the internet and the [[Library of Babel|over abundance of information]] it is important to maintain ones [[critical analysis]] skills and be able to find logical fallacies in popular discourse. The most common to look out for include: | ||
<div class="res-img">[[File:Most Common logical fallacies.png|alt=logical fallacies|center|logical fallacy]]</div> | <div class="res-img">[[File:Most Common logical fallacies.png|alt=logical fallacies|center|logical fallacy]]</div> | ||
* [[Anecdotal Evidence Fallacy|'''Anecdotal Evidence''']] - easily found data is less trustworthy than robust data. | * [[Anecdotal Evidence Fallacy|'''Anecdotal Evidence''']] - easily found data is less trustworthy than robust data. | ||
* '''Bandwagon''' - the popularity of an idea has absolutely no bearing on its validity. | * '''Bandwagon''' - the popularity of an idea has absolutely no bearing on its validity. | ||
* '''Appeal to Authority''' - an authority thinks something, it must therefore be true. | * '''Appeal to Authority''' - an authority thinks something, it must therefore be true. | ||
* [[The Arrival Fallacy|'''Arrival''']] - people tend to fixate on the destination not the journey. | * [[The Arrival Fallacy|'''Arrival''']] - people tend to fixate on the destination not the journey. | ||
* '''Straw Man''' - misrepresentation of someone's argument to make it easier to attack. | * '''Straw Man''' - misrepresentation of someone's argument to make it easier to attack. | ||
* '''Lesser known fallacies:''' False Dilemma, Hasty Generalization, Slothful Induction, Correlation/Causation, Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy, Middle Ground Fallacy, Burden of Proof Fallacy, Personal Incredulity, "No True Scotsman", Ad Hominem Fallacy and Tu Quoque. | * '''Lesser known fallacies:''' False Dilemma, Hasty Generalization, Slothful Induction, Correlation/Causation, Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy, Middle Ground Fallacy, Burden of Proof Fallacy, Personal Incredulity, "No True Scotsman", Ad Hominem Fallacy and Tu Quoque. | ||
[[File:Prejudice.png|alt=Prejudice|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Prejudice is a more effective means to sway the public than logic.]] | [[File:Prejudice.png|alt=Prejudice|thumb|'''Figure 1'''. Prejudice is a more effective means to sway the public than logic.]] | ||
== Logical Fallacies and the Ecological Crisis == | == Logical Fallacies and the Ecological Crisis == | ||
Many of the classical logical fallacies listed above are encountered daily by people who do not want to rationalise and confront the reality of the ecological crisis. The most common examples of this include: | Many of the classical logical fallacies listed above are encountered daily by people who do not want to rationalise and confront the reality of the ecological crisis. The most common examples of this include: | ||
=== '''"We will innovate out of the crisis."''' === | === '''"We will innovate out of the crisis."''' === | ||
This is called the ''ecomodernist argument'' or ''technoutopian fallacy'', it has been around for centuries. Think about it this way... Imagine you decided to start smoking, a pack a day, maybe two. I might say but that's bad! It will kill you! then you *shrug* and say medicine will find a cure, just as it always has. | This is called the ''[[Ecomodernism|ecomodernist]] argument'' or ''technoutopian fallacy'', it has been around for centuries. Think about it this way... Imagine you decided to start smoking, a pack a day, maybe two. I might say but that's bad! It will kill you! then you *shrug* and say medicine will find a cure, just as it always has. | ||
=== '''“It's too late, I won’t make a difference.”''' === | === '''“It's too late, I won’t make a difference.”''' === | ||