Top 10 mostly used logical fallacies in debate
Sometimes people say things that might sound right, but they’re actually not. These sneaky ways of arguing are called “logical fallacies.” They’re like traps that can make us believe something that isn’t true. In this blog, we’ll talk about top 10 mostly used logical fallacies in debate people use. We’ll learn what they are, see examples, and find out how to spot them so we don’t get fooled. By knowing about these tricks, we can get better at understanding what’s really true and what’s not.
Here is the list of top 10 mostly used logical fallacies in debate
Table of Contents
1. What is a Straw Man?
A Straw Man happens when someone misrepresents their opponent’s argument. They replace the real argument with a weaker version and attack that instead. It’s called “straw man” because it’s like fighting a weak scarecrow made of straw.
How Does It Work?
Instead of dealing with the real argument, they create a fake one. This sets up a false version of the opponent’s argument, which is easier to defeat. Meanwhile, the actual argument is ignored.
Example
Mary says, “This Thai restaurant is the best.” John responds, “So you think this restaurant is the best?” He’s not really addressing Mary’s claim but attacking a weaker version of it.
Avoiding It
To avoid using or falling for a Straw Man, make sure you understand your opponent’s argument clearly. Restate it to them to confirm you got it right. This keeps the argument fair and prevents misunderstandings.
2. What is Begging the Question?
Begging the question happens when someone uses the same idea as both the start and the end of their argument, without adding anything new.
How Does it Work?
Instead of moving the argument forward, it just repeats the same idea. The starting point becomes the conclusion, or the conclusion becomes part of the starting point.
Example
Mary says, “John always tells the truth.” Bob asks, “How do you know?” Mary replies, “Because John says that he always tells the truth.” Here, the conclusion (“John always tells the truth”) is just a repeat of the premise. It’s like going in circles.
Avoiding Begging the Question
To avoid this, ensure the conclusion isn’t just repeating the premise. Compare the premise and conclusion to make sure they’re different. This helps the argument move forward logically.
3. What is Ad Hominem?
Ad Hominem happens when someone attacks the person making an argument instead of the argument itself. They might bring up things like the person’s identity or personal qualities to dismiss their argument.
How Does it Work?
Instead of focusing on the actual argument, they attack the person making it. This is often seen in political debates.
Example
Cliff says, “Squares have right angles.” Someone responds, “Cliff can’t be right because he’s known to steal ideas.” They’re not dealing with the square argument but attacking Cliff personally.
Spotting Ad Hominem
You can spot this when arguments focus on the person, not their ideas. In politics, it might sound like, “Your opinion on guns doesn’t matter because you’re a Democrat.”
Avoiding Ad Hominem
To avoid it, stick to discussing the argument itself, not the person making it. Keep personal biases or irrelevant traits out of the debate. Just because someone is flawed doesn’t mean their argument is wrong.
4. What is Post Hoc?
Post Hoc occurs when someone assumes that just because one event follows another, the first event caused the second. This overlooks other possible explanations for the sequence of events.
How Does it Work?
People mistake the order of events for causation. Just because A happens before B doesn’t mean A caused B.
Example
Whenever it’s sunny, more car burglaries happen. So, someone might think sunny days cause crime. But there could be other reasons for the increase in crime on sunny days.
Avoiding Post Hoc
To avoid this fallacy, question whether you truly understand what’s causing the events. Don’t assume causation just from the order of events. If you’re unsure about the cause, it’s better to wait until you have more information before making judgments.
5. What is a Loaded Question?
A Loaded Question is one that already contains the desired answer or assumes something negative about the person being asked. It’s designed to trap the respondent into admitting something unfavorable.
How Does it Work?
The question sets up a scenario where any answer makes the person look bad, regardless of the truth.
Example
“Are you still beating your wife?” This question implies the person is a wife-beater, regardless of how they answer.
Avoiding Loaded Questions
Avoiding this is straightforward. Don’t ask questions that already contain assumptions or desired outcomes. Loaded questions are often used intentionally to manipulate or trap someone, so being mindful of their intent can help sidestep them.
6. What is False Dichotomy?
False Dichotomy is when someone presents only two options as if they’re the only possibilities, ignoring other potential choices.
How Does it Work?
The arguer limits options to force a decision between two extremes, ignoring middle ground or other alternatives.
Example
A parent asks, “Do you want to sleep now or in 5 minutes?” This limits the child to only two options, when there could be others, like sleeping in 10 minutes.
Avoiding False Dichotomy
To avoid this, consider if you’re truly considering all possibilities. Before narrowing down options, think about alternatives beyond just two extremes. This helps ensure a fair assessment of choices.
7. What is Equivocation?
Equivocation is when someone uses language deceptively by changing the meaning of words or concepts mid-argument. It’s a way to mislead listeners or avoid taking a clear position.
How Does it Work?
The person uses a word or concept in one sense, then switches to another sense to support their argument. This can confuse or mislead the audience.
Example
Using “right” to mean morally correct and then switching to mean functionally correct within the same argument.
Avoiding Equivocation
To avoid this, use words consistently without changing their meanings. Be clear and precise in your language to prevent confusion or deception.
8. What is Appeal to Authority?
Appeal to Authority is when someone claims something is true because an authority figure said so. However, just because an authority says something doesn’t automatically make it true.
How Does it Work?
People rely on the credibility of the authority figure rather than the validity of the argument itself. This can be misleading because authorities can be wrong.
Example
Mary claims “The earth is flat” because her geology teacher said so. This relies on the teacher’s authority rather than presenting evidence for the claim.
Avoiding Appeal to Authority
To avoid this fallacy, don’t rely solely on an authority figure to support your claim. Instead, provide evidence or reasoning to back up your argument independently of any authority’s opinion.
9. What is Hasty Generalization?
Hasty Generalization is when someone makes a claim without enough evidence or with biased evidence. It’s like making a sweeping statement without looking at the full picture.
How Does it Work?
People jump to conclusions based on limited evidence or biased samples, assuming it represents the whole.
Example
John says, “You’re a musician, so you must not have stage fright.” This assumes all musicians are fearless on stage without considering individual differences.
Avoiding Hasty Generalization
To avoid this, consider the evidence carefully. Is it sufficient and unbiased? Think about whether it truly represents the whole before making broad claims.
10. What is Appeal to Popular Opinion?
Appeal to Popular Opinion is when someone argues that a statement is true simply because many people believe it. However, just because something is widely believed doesn’t mean it’s correct.
How Does it Work?
The argument relies on the number of believers rather than the validity of the claim itself. This can lead to accepting false beliefs just because they’re popular.
Example
Medieval John claims, “The sun revolves around the earth because everyone believes it.” This assumes truth based on popularity rather than evidence.
Avoiding Appeal to Popular Opinion
To avoid this, evaluate statements based on their own merit rather than how many people believe them. Don’t rely solely on popularity to determine truth.
