Scribd
Upload
267 views3 pages

Language or Content or Irrelevance of The Premises: Fallacies in Language / Ambiguity

The document discusses various types of fallacies in arguments. It outlines formal fallacies, which are issues with the structure of an argument, and informal fallacies, which relate to unclear language, irrelevant premises, or ambiguity. Informal fallacies are further broken down into fallacies of language/ambiguity, fallacies of matter, and fallacies of relevance. Examples are given for each type of informal fallacy.

Uploaded by

inah_30
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
267 views3 pages

Language or Content or Irrelevance of The Premises: Fallacies in Language / Ambiguity

The document discusses various types of fallacies in arguments. It outlines formal fallacies, which are issues with the structure of an argument, and informal fallacies, which relate to unclear language, irrelevant premises, or ambiguity. Informal fallacies are further broken down into fallacies of language/ambiguity, fallacies of matter, and fallacies of relevance. Examples are given for each type of informal fallacy.

Uploaded by

inah_30
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

FALLACY - Is an error in argumentation Formal Fallacies - Committed against the form of the argument Informal Fallacies - Committed because

of an unclear language or content or irrelevance of the premises

INFORMAL FALLACIES Fallacies in Language / Ambiguity A. Fallacy of Equivocation - using a term in different meanings in the argumentation B. Fallacy of Amphibology - using a phrase or a complete sentence whose meaning is ambiguous because the grammatical construction can be interpreted in various ways C. Fallacy of Composition - taking jointly what should be taken separately - Parts Whole D. Fallacy of Division - taking separately what should be taken jointly - Whole Part E. Fallacy of Accent or Prosody - arises from ambiguous use of a word that may result to a different meaning when accented or from a false emphasis in speech F. Fallacy of Figures of Speech - concluding erroneously a similarity of meaning based on the similarity of word structure.

Fallacies of Matter A. Fallacy of Accident - arises from confusion of what is essential or necessary and what is merely accidental B. Sweeping Generalization - arguing from the truth of an General statement to the truth of a qualified statement - General Specific C. Hasty Generalization - arguing from the truth of qualified statement to the truth of an General statement - Specific General

Fallacy of Relevance A. Ignoring the Issue - One does not prove or disapprove the point at issue 1. Argumentum ad Populum (appeal to the people) - Appeals to the prejudices or biases and passions of the people 2. Argumentum ad Baculum (appeal to might / power) - uses threat 3. Argumentum ad Verecundiam (appeal to shame / modesty) - To convince or persuade by pointing out the dignity of those who adhere to a certain view. 4. Argumentum ad Misericordiam (appeal to pity) - It leaves reasons aside and pleads for mercy 5. Argumentum ad Ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance) - Argues from a lack of evidence of a certain claim 6. Argumentum ad Hominem (appeal to the individual) Abusive - Attacks the character of the opponent Circumstantial - Implies the interest of the opponent. Hypocrisy (tu quque) You also 7. Invalid Extension - widens the question unduly by giving a more extended application than the moderate claim intended. 8. Fallacy of Diversion - One sidesteps the original question / topic and substitutes a different question on topic in its place

B. Begging the Issue 1. Equivalent term / proposition - Using the same or an Equivalent term / proposition as both premise and conclusion 2. Wider Principle - Using a premise that cannot be known to be true unless the conclusion is first known to be true

3. Vicious Circle - The conclusion is proven by a premise and later on the same premise is proven by the conclusion

C. Fallacy of the False Cause 1. Post hoc - Ascribing to a certain effect something which comes before it 2. Arguing coincidence - happens when a certain presumption is taken to be sure and certain - Probability Certainty 3. Oversimplifying the Cause - providing a simple or nave explanation or cause of a complex event which is caused by several causes 4. Slippery Slope - It involves a belief that X will lead to Y w/o any reason. Other Fallacies 1. Weak Analogy - involves the weak comparison between two things 2. Red Hearing (straw man) - Diverting the listeners attention by changing the subject or drawing a slightly different conclusion than the one that should be drawn 3. Complex Question (loaded question) - A question which contains a hidden assumption or condition 4. False Dilemma - Presents premise 2 alternatives as if they were the only available when in fact there are more

You might also like