15 Common Logical Fallacies

Overwhelmed and confused by fallacies? Master this short list to avoid falling for the most common misleading arguments.

[johnhavens]

During your explanation of the false cause fallacy you suggest, we should learn to recognize our own biases. Now there’s a topic for an entire Video! Love what you’re doing.

[randomdude]

Very good information. I wish more people would take time to learn the basics of how to think more critically.

[MrPrimoPR]

Excellent presentation. I am checking out all the good videos on this subject and your video is top notch. The curiousness I have about the logical fallacies not only has to do with identifying them in others, but trying to recognize them in my own way thinking, they are so prevalent in one’s upbringing, culture and education, that they become second nature ? I’m 76 and now I’ve come to realize that knowledge is ok but understanding it is more important. Thank you.

[dancevideo]

A very good summary in my opinion. Currently YT says 9K views after 3 weeks. Imagine a world in which content like this achieved the viewership that something like "Baby Shark Dance" does in the world we do live in. (You may say I'm a dreamer/ But I'm not the only one?) There is evidence leading me to believe that, while humans may be uniquely good at logical thought, it may not be our most popular or widespread mode of operation.

[trevorodell]

There's a more simple principle behind the appeal to authority that makes it a lot less complicated, and prevents invoking a bandwagon as a third exception: it Substitutes authority for evidence.

A quick way to distinguish expert from authority is to simply ask for supporting evidence to substantiate the expert opinion, in which case the expert will provide it, and the authority will likely not.

If my neighbor prescribes medical treatment to everyone based on the general CDC or NIH stance, but can't explain why that stance is appropriate to everyone, especially to my family personally, she clearly differentiates herself from my doctor who can explain the basis if his prescriptions and how my circumstances might modify them.

The expert is obvious between the two: Even if the authorities might Also have medical degrees, they haven't examined the patient, so they're lacking the key specific expertise necessary to avoid a hasty generalization.

[tdhoward]

This is great! Love the clear and concise presentation.

[UrbanERecycling]

Another thing. I was wondering if you have a nice or acceptable way to combat/answer a fallacy when it's recognized in another person? Should you call them out on it?

[UrbanERecycling]

I found you via Harmonic Athiest. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this video. I would suggest you take one per video and give a lot of examples. I want to know more about logical fallacies. I purchased a deck of cards that explains the same. I still feel I need to know more and how to recognize them. I am surrounded by fallacy offenders.

[tslim]

Well done! Thank you for taking the time to talk about these.

[dantallman]

Nice! Very clearly explained.
I have never been a huge fan of formalizing the logical fallacies and have always linked these to debates, which I think are often pointless. However, understanding logical fallacies helps us evaluate information or our own positions is however, really useful. That is the focus here.
Btw- the book Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar is a fun way to learn logic via jokes.

[alphamaleallure]

Lately, i have been hearing a lot of arguments that US food is ultra processed and thus not healthy or safe as some other countries. I do not completely buy this appeal to nature argument because without some pesticides fruit as an example would be destroyed before it could come to market. Simply wash before eating. What do you say to counter this fallacy? BTW Great Video!

[gregolonious]

Hard to resist the "you're an idiot, therefore you're wrong" rebuttal, these days, though.

[gregors]

Great video, as usual! One small typo: the first fallacy's chapter is titled "Ad Homonym" instead of "Ad Hominem"... however, that is perhaps the most brilliant typo I have ever seen and I'm tempted to think one should leave it right there! ; )

[judasp]

Outstanding video and informative. Thank you

[mjfentertainment]

Loved watching this! I enjoyed the bonus at the end, I was wondering about that as I watched

[lettuceboy]

Is there a difference between a claim being disproven, and a claim that does not have evidence for it?

[MrPrimoPR]

It is probably disingenuous of me, but I think A. I. is having a field day with logical fallacies.

[DJSupe]

Who else arrived here to re-arm themselves after debating politics with a friend?

[joshuapreston]

Trust your instincts. But examine where they come from 😁.

[zecuse]

A minor nitpick for the 3rd type of appeal to authority is the minority opinion either isn't backed by evidence or is incorrectly using evidence for their minority position. Even authorities can make mistakes. At one point, the current consensus position was a minority position.

Another common fallacy is the the fallacy of composition (and by extension fallacy of division). Assuming that something is true of the whole because it's true for all or some part doesn't always follow (and by extension, true of all or some part because it's true of the whole). Individually, hydrogen and oxygen are really good fuel for fire but water, a combination of both, is really good at stopping fire. By extension, water is really good at stopping fire, but its components are really good fuel.