Logical Fallacies



Logical Fallacies

Introduction

A logical fallacy is an invalid or incorrect reasoning but with appearance of correct reasoning. The reasoning is misleading or wrong (false), but pretending to be convincing or persuasive. A fallacy is based on an error in the application of rules of inference, it is not logically correct. Some of the logical fallacies with their definitions and arguments are discussed below:

Mere assertion

A fallacy of mere assertion is refers to informal fallacy, which is repeated assertion in which a proposition is repeatedly restated regardless of contradiction. This fallacy is argued in favor of a statement by prolonged repetition, by one or more persons. This fallacy is often used by politicians and rhetoricians, and is one of the mechanisms to strengthen urban legends. In its most extreme form can also be a kind of brain washing (Hansen & Pinto, 1995). The expression ad nauseam is a Latin phrase used to describe something that continues up to the point of nausea. For example: "This matter has been discussed ad nauseam" means that it has been discussed so that everyone has had enough of it. We know the sentence of Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, "a lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth" (Kavalir, 2010).

Circular reasoning

The circular reasoning is above all a kind of demonstration whereby we can check the validity of an inductive syllogism through a deductive syllogism. But there is a reasoning by which we can make more evident the truth of a deductive syllogism through another that is inductive or dialectical. It is also called by Aristotle reciprocal reasoning and demo circle. It is often confused with begging with which it has nothing to do, so qualify circular reasoning fallacy and sophistry is a mistake (Van, 2011). From this we gather that all circular reasoning is a series of two syllogisms that are related as follows: Once the first syllogism of the series, try to prove one of its premises through the conclusion of the first syllogism together the premise that we have not chosen before, although the latter invested about preaching (Mills, et.al, 2002).

Ad hominem

The ad hominem is a Latin phrase which refers to the fact to confuse an opponent in his own words against him or his own actions. It is frequently used to discredit arguments without discussion due to the person presenting them. In logic known as argumentum ad hominem is type of fallacy, which says that something is false, evading submitted adequate reasons to refute a certain position or conclusion. Instead it tries to attack or discredit the person who defends pointing to a characteristic or belief of the person who expresses unpopular (Hansen & Pinto, 1995).

It should be a small distinction between ex concession argument, given the result of the speaker, and an argument ad persona, an inconsistency between what he thinks and says a speaker. The latter is more likely to be fallacious. For example dialogue between two people in which A says: The state is not guaranteeing the basic ...