4 Logical Fallacies

Welcome to Mind Tools' Video Learning Series from Emerald Works.

We live in an age when it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Sometimes an argument is presented in a way that is deliberately misleading. Other times, people support false arguments because they failed to understand the facts.

A logical fallacy is a statement that initially seems to be true but, after applying reason and logic, turns out to be false.

Logical fallacies are bad for everyone. If you use one, you can appear misinformed or even dishonest. If you fall victim to one, it may cause you to spread false information or make a poor decision.

Let's take a look at four common logical fallacies that might trip us up.

An Appeal to Authority is when someone tries to use an expert source, like a famous academic, to back up their argument. If someone does this, don't take it at face value. Question the source.

Even if the academic is real, they may have been misquoted, or their research taken out of context. Try not to rely too heavily on a single expert's authority or on a single source of data either.

The Bandwagon Fallacy is the tendency to believe something simply because it's popular. This often applies on social media, but just because lots of people agree or like an idea doesn't make it right or true.

Apply critical thinking and make your own conclusions.

The False Dichotomy Fallacy makes an either/or argument. You're only given two options, forcing you to choose one when, in fact, neither are right.

For example, if someone says, "You are either with me or against me," this doesn't necessarily have to be true. You can still choose to be impartial. Remember, even if it seems difficult, don't be afraid to explore alternative options.

Finally, the Straw Man Fallacy involves creating a false and distorted version of someone else's argument, then opposing it to strengthen your own position.

For example, a colleague – let's call her Susan – might say, "I think we should have flexible working hours." But her boss, Nigel, might counter with, "If you let people work whenever they feel like it, they'll never do anything." This is a straw man fallacy.

By focusing on only one negative aspect of flexible working, Nigel has weakened Susan's argument without taking the time to properly explore all the pros and cons.

If you want to learn more about logical fallacies and how to avoid them, see the article that accompanies this video.