A fallacious argument that states something to be good because it is natural. The appeal to nature considers something natural to be superior to something unnatural. Commonly mistaken for the naturalistic fallacy though not the same fallacy. This is an informal fallacy, that is, its problem is not to be found in the logical structure…
Month: April 2020
Kafkatrapping
The fallacy called kafkatrapping doesn’t represent an argument as much as it represents an accusation. Named after the famous Franz Kafka’s novel The Trial in which the main character is accused of an unknown crime. The only evidence is his denial of guilt. The fallacy occurs not with the accusation but with the verdict. Accusing…
Magical Thinking
The reasoning which leads a person to make a relation based on superstition is called magical thinking. It usually occurs when a connection is made between two objects or events without supporting evidence. The connection is based on unjustified beliefs, that’s why this fallacy is also superstitious thinking. The source of many fears, incorrect judgments,…
The Courtier’s Reply Fallacy
Courtier’s reply is a response to an argument by rejecting the authority of the person that makes the argument. The opponent’s experience, knowledge, and relevance in the field is denied by the person that commits this fallacy. Most often it occurs when one is criticized and without a proper defense, the courtier’s reply is used….
Affirmative Conclusion From A Negative Premise (Illicit Major)
The fallacy of reaching an affirmative conclusion from a negative premise is a part of formal logic. That is, the problem with the fallacy is with how the argument is structured and not its content. How this fallacy occurs is explained by its name. Nonetheless, in order to understand it better we have to call…
Appeal To Flattery
An appeal to flattery is a fallacious argument that uses compliments (flattery) to win over the audience. A red herring variant that disregards proof and shifts the argument with irrelevant statements. This fallacy doesn’t occur when someone states something to be true or trying to prove something. It occurs when the speaker wants to convince…