If you want to think better, don't make these 5 mistakes:
The Common Belief Fallacy
Claiming that because many people believe or do something that it's a valid reason to believe or do said thing.
The popularity of an idea has absolutely no bearing on its validity.
"Everyone is doing it, so why aren't you?"
Claiming that because many people believe or do something that it's a valid reason to believe or do said thing.
The popularity of an idea has absolutely no bearing on its validity.
"Everyone is doing it, so why aren't you?"
Genetic Fallacy
Claiming something is good or bad on the basis of where it came from, or from whom it came.
It's the belief that the origin of something determines its worth.
Example: "The news article is a conservative publication, so you know whatever it says is true."
Claiming something is good or bad on the basis of where it came from, or from whom it came.
It's the belief that the origin of something determines its worth.
Example: "The news article is a conservative publication, so you know whatever it says is true."
No True Scotsman
Claiming an appeal to 'purity' to dismiss another argument.
Person A: "No Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge."
Person B: "But my uncle Angus is a Scotsman and he puts sugar on his porridge."
Person A: "But no true Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge."
Claiming an appeal to 'purity' to dismiss another argument.
Person A: "No Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge."
Person B: "But my uncle Angus is a Scotsman and he puts sugar on his porridge."
Person A: "But no true Scotsman puts sugar on his porridge."
Middle Ground
Claiming that a compromise, or 'middle ground', between two extremes must be the truth of a matter.
Sometimes a thing is simply untrue and a compromise of it is also untrue.
Half way between truth and a lie, is still a lie.
Claiming that a compromise, or 'middle ground', between two extremes must be the truth of a matter.
Sometimes a thing is simply untrue and a compromise of it is also untrue.
Half way between truth and a lie, is still a lie.
The Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy
Cherry picking data to suit your argument, or finding a pattern to fit a presumption.
Named after a Texan firing gunshots at a barn, then painting a shooting target around the tightest cluster of hits and claiming to be a sharpshooter.
Cherry picking data to suit your argument, or finding a pattern to fit a presumption.
Named after a Texan firing gunshots at a barn, then painting a shooting target around the tightest cluster of hits and claiming to be a sharpshooter.
That's a list of 5 common logical fallacies.
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