Logical Fallacies List

Logical fallacies are recurring patterns of faulty reasoning. Use this list to learn the definition of each fallacy and click through to examples and responses.

TLDR

• What it is: A curated list of common logical fallacies with definitions and links to deeper guides.
• How to use it: Start with the intro, learn one fallacy at a time, and practice spotting it in everyday claims.
• Why it helps: Seeing the patterns makes weak reasoning easier to recognize quickly.
• Next step: Pick a fallacy and read the full guide or try the logical fallacy game.

What are the main logical fallacies?

• Ad Hominem Fallacy — An ad hominem fallacy attacks a person's character instead of addressing their argument.
• Ambiguity (Equivocation) Fallacy — The ambiguity fallacy relies on vague or shifting meanings to make an argument appear valid.
• Anecdotal Fallacy — The anecdotal fallacy treats a personal story as proof instead of using reliable evidence.
• Appeal to Authority — An appeal to authority claims something is true because an authority figure says it, without adequate evidence.
• Appeal to Emotion — The appeal to emotion fallacy uses feelings as the primary evidence instead of reasons or facts.
• Appeal to Fear — An appeal to fear tries to persuade by frightening people rather than presenting evidence.
• Appeal to Ignorance — An appeal to ignorance claims something is true because it has not been proven false (or vice versa).
• Appeal to Nature — The appeal to nature fallacy assumes something is good or right simply because it is natural.
• Appeal to Tradition — The appeal to tradition fallacy argues something is right because it has always been done that way.
• Bandwagon Fallacy — The bandwagon fallacy treats popularity as proof that a belief or decision is correct.
• Burden of Proof Fallacy — The burden of proof fallacy shifts the responsibility to disprove a claim instead of proving it.
• Circular Reasoning — Circular reasoning uses the conclusion as one of its premises, providing no independent support.
• Composition Fallacy — The composition fallacy assumes what is true of parts must be true of the whole.
• Correlation vs Causation Fallacy — Correlation versus causation fallacy assumes that because two things move together, one causes the other.
• Division Fallacy — The division fallacy assumes what is true of the whole must be true of each part.
• Equivocation Fallacy — Equivocation shifts the meaning of a key word or phrase to make an argument seem valid.
• False Analogy Fallacy — A false analogy compares two things that are not similar in the ways that matter.
• False Cause (Correlation/Causation) — The false cause fallacy assumes a causal relationship without adequate evidence.
• False Dilemma Fallacy — A false dilemma presents only two options when more possibilities exist.
• Gambler's Fallacy — The gambler's fallacy assumes past random events make a future outcome more likely.
• Genetic Fallacy — The genetic fallacy judges a claim based on its source rather than its evidence.
• Hasty Generalization — A hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from too little or unrepresentative evidence.
• Middle Ground Fallacy — The middle ground fallacy assumes a compromise is always correct simply because it is between two extremes.
• Moving the Goalposts — Moving the goalposts changes the criteria for success after those criteria have been met.
• No True Scotsman — The no true Scotsman fallacy redefines a group to exclude counterexamples and protect a claim.
• Post Hoc Fallacy — Post hoc fallacy assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused the second.
• Red Herring Fallacy — A red herring distracts from the original issue by introducing an irrelevant topic.
• Slippery Slope Fallacy — A slippery slope claims a small step will inevitably lead to extreme outcomes without evidence.
• Straw Man Fallacy — A straw man fallacy distorts someone's position to make it easier to attack.
• Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy — The Texas sharpshooter fallacy cherry-picks data that fits a pattern while ignoring the rest.
• Tu Quoque Fallacy — Tu quoque dismisses a claim by accusing the speaker of hypocrisy instead of addressing the argument.

How should you use this list?

1. Start with the intro guide.
2. Learn one fallacy at a time.
3. Practice with the logical fallacy game.
4. Cross-train your reasoning by studying cognitive biases.

One fallacy at a time beats rushing through the list. The goal is pattern recognition, not memorization.

What guides are related to Logical Fallacies List?

• An Introduction to Cognitive Biases
• Cognitive Biases List
• An Introduction to Pseudoscience

How can you use this guide in daily life?

Treat the content as a practice loop. Read one section, watch for the pattern in real conversations, and note a concrete example. The goal is recognition first, then response.

A simple routine:

• Pick one pattern to watch for this week.
• Write down one real example you saw.
• Practice a calm response that asks for evidence.

Why does Logical Fallacies List matter outside debates?

This fallacy does more than weaken arguments. It can influence hiring, purchasing, policy decisions, and relationships because it makes a weak conclusion feel justified. When the reasoning is wrong, the decision can be wrong even if the speaker sounds confident.

In fast-moving situations, people default to shortcuts. Recognizing the pattern helps you slow down and ask for real evidence before you accept the conclusion.

What is a quick checklist for Logical Fallacies List?

Use this quick checklist to test whether the reasoning is valid before you accept it.

• What is the exact claim?
• What evidence is offered?
• Is the evidence relevant and sufficient, or just persuasive?
• What key link between reason and conclusion is missing?
• Would the claim still stand if you removed labels or emotion?

How should you pick which fallacy to learn first?

Start with the patterns you see most often in everyday conversations: ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, red herring, and hasty generalization. These show up in politics, work, and social media, so they deliver the fastest payoff.

If you want a simple order, follow this sequence: relevance fallacies first (attacks and distractions), then causation fallacies, then ambiguity fallacies.

How can you turn this list into a weekly practice?

Pick one fallacy per week and collect real examples. Write the claim and the offered reason in one sentence, then ask what evidence would actually support the conclusion.

A short routine:

• Monday: read the guide.
• Mid‑week: capture one real example.
• Weekend: practice a calm response.

What misconceptions lead to Logical Fallacies List?

A common misconception is that memorizing names is enough. The value of the list is in learning the patterns and recognizing them in context. Another misconception is that fallacies are only for debates. In reality, they show up in buying decisions, workplace arguments, and everyday conversations.

How can you break down Logical Fallacies List step by step?

Use a simple step‑by‑step approach so the list feels actionable instead of overwhelming.

• Pick one fallacy that appears often in your life.
• Read the definition and one example.
• Write your own example from a real conversation.
• Practice a calm response that asks for evidence.

How do you explain Logical Fallacies List to someone skeptical?

Describe the list as a pattern library, not a gotcha tool. It helps people evaluate evidence and avoid manipulation, not score points.

A simple framing: "This list helps us check whether a conclusion follows from evidence. It’s about accuracy, not winning."

FAQ

How should I use this list to learn faster?
Pick one fallacy per day or week, read the guide, and watch for real-world examples.

Are these the only fallacies?
No, but these are the most common patterns in everyday arguments.

What should I read after the list?
Start with the intro to fallacies, then explore cognitive biases for the thinking side.

References

• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
• Nizkor Project (Fallacies)