A logical fallacy is an error or reasoning. “The ability to identify logical fallacies in the arguments of others, and to avoid them in one’s own arguments, is both valuable and increasingly rare. Fallacious reasoning keeps us from knowing the truth, and the inability to think critically makes us vulnerable to manipulation by those skilled in the art of rhetoric.” ("Logical fallacies," 2009)
An amphiboly is a fallacy used when the author uses awkward sentence structure in order to confuse his audience. An example of an amphiboly is “Lying in his coffin, I leaned over and kissed my grandfather.” It is easy to determine when someone is using this type of fallacy by analyzing the statement that is made. In the above example, if the statement is not analyzed, the audience would assume that I was lying in my grandfather’s coffin. However, by dissecting what the statement, the audience can determine that my grandfather was in his coffin and I leaned over to kiss him.
Arguing from authority is a fallacy that assumes validity of a situation or statement based on the supporters of the statement. “People use this argument whenever they justify their values and ideas by appealing to an authoritative source. “ (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, p. 211) An example of this type fallacy is “Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.” Though I believe this to be true, many may not. However, many Christians hold the Bible as the word of God and an “expert” on the subject of Jesus. An audience will be able to determine when someone is using this fallacy because the form will state that a statement is true because an authority says it is true.
Argumentum ad ignorantium means argument from ignorance. This fallacy argues a situation is true because there is nothing to prove that it isn’t true. As a Christian, I believe that God exists. There is nothing that contradicts his existence. I would rather live believing there is a God and die and find out there isn’t; rather than... [continues]
An amphiboly is a fallacy used when the author uses awkward sentence structure in order to confuse his audience. An example of an amphiboly is “Lying in his coffin, I leaned over and kissed my grandfather.” It is easy to determine when someone is using this type of fallacy by analyzing the statement that is made. In the above example, if the statement is not analyzed, the audience would assume that I was lying in my grandfather’s coffin. However, by dissecting what the statement, the audience can determine that my grandfather was in his coffin and I leaned over to kiss him.
Arguing from authority is a fallacy that assumes validity of a situation or statement based on the supporters of the statement. “People use this argument whenever they justify their values and ideas by appealing to an authoritative source. “ (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, p. 211) An example of this type fallacy is “Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.” Though I believe this to be true, many may not. However, many Christians hold the Bible as the word of God and an “expert” on the subject of Jesus. An audience will be able to determine when someone is using this fallacy because the form will state that a statement is true because an authority says it is true.
Argumentum ad ignorantium means argument from ignorance. This fallacy argues a situation is true because there is nothing to prove that it isn’t true. As a Christian, I believe that God exists. There is nothing that contradicts his existence. I would rather live believing there is a God and die and find out there isn’t; rather than... [continues]
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