Logical Fallacies
A logical fallacy is an inaccurate misleading misapplication of logic. It is an element of
an argument that is flawed, essentially rendering the line of reasoning, if not the entire
argument, invalid. In Argumentative essays, rational thought is strong persuader. If essay
is based on emotion or feelings, or if rational thought is flawed, the argument loses its
strength. There are some logical errors commonly made by students in argumentative
essays.
1. Hasty Generalization : Jumping to conclusions.
It means hasty generalizations occur when you draw a conclusion from too few
cases, instances or examples. The few examples you have may be good evidence for
your argument, but you must have enough typical cases in order to prove your point.
Example : "A bear lives at the zoo, therefore, all bears live at zoos."
Solution : avoid words like “ everybody, all and nothing,” and qualify statements
2. Stereotype : A form of hasty generalization applied to people.
A stereotype is a special and especially dangerous form of the hasty generalization.
If you find that a few people in a certain group share certain characteristics and then
generalize that all people in that group will have the same characteristics, you are guilty
of the fallacy of stereotyping. There are national, regional, religious, racial and many
other kinds of stereotypes. All are dangerous because they encourage thinking of people
in terms of groups rather than as individuals.
Example : “After being in New York for a week, I can tell you: all New Yorkers are
rude.”
Solution : Qualify and specify your statements; prove with valid evidence.
3. Oversimplification : Severe reduction of choices, sometimes limited to an
either / or dilemma.
This is a conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides
or choices.
Example: “We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth.”
In this example where two choices are presented as the only options, yet the author
ignores a range of choices in between such as developing cleaner technology, car sharing
systems for necessities and emergencies, or better community planning to discourage
daily driving.
1. Always remember never to say always and never (and all and everyone
and nobody and none). Reasonable thinking should be reflected in
reasonable language. All inclusive statements can rarely be proved.
Qualify and specify.
2. Even if you are sure that one thing is cause of another, it may not be the
only cause. Be careful not to oversimplify.
3. Suspicious words like undoubtedly and obviously are often followed by
hasty generalizations and oversimplifications.
4. Any opinion you have must be qualified and specified, and must be
supported completely with facts, examples, or personal experience.