Fallacies, Axioms, Idioms, Misconceptions, Cognitive Bias, and Fundamental Deductive Syllogisms
Formal Fallacies
- Ad Hominem Abusive ( attacking the person instead of addressing the argument)
- Ad Hominem Circumstantial (attacking the person’s circumstances instead of addressing the argument)
- Ad Ignorantiam (assuming that a lack of evidence proves or disproves something)
- Ad Verecundiam (appealing to the audience’s reverence or respect for an authority figure)
- Affirming the Consequent (assuming that if A implies B, and B is true, then A must be true)
- Appeal to Emotion (manipulating emotions to influence opinions rather than presenting facts)
- Argument from Ignorance (arguing that because something is not known, it must be false or nonexistent)
- Begging the Question (assuming the truth of a conclusion as part of an argument for that conclusion)
- Burden of Proof (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Circular Reasoning (using a conclusion as a premise in an argument)
Informal Fallacies
- Absurd Consequence (assuming that because an idea has absurd consequences, it must be false)
- Appeal to Authority (using the opinion or position of an authority figure as evidence for an argument)
- Appeal to Popularity (arguing that because something is popular, it must be true or good)
- Argument from Silence (assuming that because someone doesn’t respond or provide information, they must agree with your statement)
- Bandwagon Fallacy (arguing that because many people believe or do something, it must be true or right)
- Begging the Question of Fact (assuming the truth of a factual claim as part of an argument for that claim)
- Biased Sample (selectively presenting only certain data to support an argument)
- Cherry Picking (selectively presenting only favorable information while ignoring unfavorable information)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
- Correlation implies Causation (assuming that because two events are correlated, one must cause the other)
Logical Fallacies
- Ad Finitum (arguing that a statement is true or false based on an infinite regress of causes and effects)
- Affirming the Consequent by Denying the Antecedent (assuming that if A implies B, and not-A is true, then not-B must be true)
- Alternative of Disjuncts (presenting only two options when there are, in fact, more possibilities)
- Amphiboly (using ambiguous language to mislead or deceive)
- Appeal to Fear (manipulating emotions by appealing to fear rather than presenting facts)
- Argumentum ad Baculum (appealing to force or threats to influence opinions)
- Association Fallacy (assuming that because two things are associated, one must cause the other)
- Authority Fallacy (arguing that because an authority figure says something, it must be true)
- Bare Assertion Fallacy (presenting a claim without providing evidence or reasoning to support it)
- Begging the Question of Definition (assuming the truth of a definition as part of an argument for that definition)
Rhetorical Fallacies
- All-or-Nothing Thinking (presenting only two extreme options when there are, in fact, more nuanced possibilities)
- Anecdotal Evidence (using isolated examples to make general claims)
- Appeal to Consequences (arguing that a statement is true or false based on its potential consequences)
- Appeal to Pity (manipulating emotions by appealing to sympathy rather than presenting facts)
- Argument from Analogy (assuming that because two things are similar in some respects, they must be similar in all respects)
- Assumption of Simplicity (assuming that a complex issue can be reduced to simple terms or solutions)
- Begging the Question of Interpretation (assuming the truth of an interpretation as part of an argument for that interpretation)
- Burden Shifting (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Category Error (applying a concept or category inappropriately)
- Cherry Picking Data (selectively presenting only favorable data while ignoring unfavorable data)
Fallacies of Language
- Ambiguity Fallacy (using ambiguous language to mislead or deceive)
- Appeal to Etymology (arguing that because a word has a certain etymology, it must have a particular meaning)
- Argument from Definition (assuming that because something is defined in a certain way, it must be true)
- Begging the Question of Terminology (assuming the truth of a terminology as part of an argument for that terminology)
- Colloquialism Fallacy (using informal language to create a false impression)
- Double Meaning Fallacy (using ambiguous language to create a false impression)
- Euphemism Fallacy (using indirect or evasive language to mislead or deceive)
- Idiomatic Expression Fallacy (misinterpreting idioms or colloquial expressions)
- Jargon Fallacy (using technical terms to create a false impression of expertise)
- Loaded Language Fallacy (using emotive language to influence opinions rather than presenting facts)
Fallacies of Assumption
- All-or-Nothing Assumption (assuming that only two extreme options are possible when, in fact, there are more nuanced possibilities)
- Assumption of Omniscience (assuming that one has complete knowledge or understanding)
- Assumption of Simplicity (assuming that a complex issue can be reduced to simple terms or solutions)
- Begging the Question of Presupposition (assuming the truth of a presupposition as part of an argument for that presupposition)
- Burden Shifting (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Category Error (applying a concept or category inappropriately)
- Cherry Picking Assumptions (selectively presenting only favorable assumptions while ignoring unfavorable assumptions)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
- False Dichotomy (presenting only two options when there are, in fact, more possibilities)
- Hidden Assumption Fallacy (assuming something without explicitly stating it)
Fallacies of Inference
- Abductive Reasoning Fallacy (making an inference based on incomplete or uncertain information)
- Argument from Ignorance (assuming that because something is not known or understood, it must be true or false)
- Begging the Question of Consequence (assuming the truth of a consequence as part of an argument for that consequence)
- Burden Shifting (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Category Error (applying a concept or category inappropriately)
- Cherry Picking Inferences (selectively presenting only favorable inferences while ignoring unfavorable inferences)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
- Correlation implies Causation (assuming that because two events are correlated, one must cause the other)
- Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Fallacy (assuming that correlation implies causation)
- False Analogy Fallacy (drawing an incorrect analogy between two things)
Fallacies of Method
- Ad Hominem Fallacy (attacking the person rather than addressing the argument)
- Appeal to Authority (arguing that because an authority figure says something, it must be true)
- Argument from Tradition (assuming that because something has been done a certain way for a long time, it must be right)
- Assumption of Objectivity (assuming that one’s own perspective or biases are objective truth)
- Authority Fallacy (arguing that because an authority figure says something, it must be true)
- Begging the Question of Methodology (assuming the truth of a methodology as part of an argument for that methodology)
- Burden Shifting (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Category Error (applying a concept or category inappropriately)
- Cherry Picking Methods (selectively presenting only favorable methods while ignoring unfavorable methods)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
Fallacies of Perception
- Appeal to Emotion (manipulating emotions rather than presenting facts)
- Argument from Analogy (assuming that because two things are similar in some respects, they must be similar in all respects)
- Assumption of Normalcy (assuming that a particular situation or event is normal or typical when it may not be)
- Begging the Question of Perception (assuming the truth of a perception as part of an argument for that perception)
- Biased Sample Fallacy (selectively presenting only certain data to support an argument)
- Category Error (applying a concept or category inappropriately)
- Cherry Picking Data (selectively presenting only favorable data while ignoring unfavorable data)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
- Correlation implies Causation (assuming that because two events are correlated, one must cause the other)
- False Analogy Fallacy (drawing an incorrect analogy between two things)
Fallacies of Probability
- Appeal to Chance (arguing that a particular outcome is more likely due to chance rather than any underlying mechanism)
- Argument from Ignorance (assuming that because something is not known or understood, it must be true or false)
- Assumption of Randomness (assuming that events are random when they may not be)
- Begging the Question of Probability (assuming the truth of a probability as part of an argument for that probability)
- Burden Shifting (shifting the burden of proof from one party to another without justification)
- Cherry Picking Probabilities (selectively presenting only favorable probabilities while ignoring unfavorable probabilities)
- Confirmation Bias (only considering evidence that supports one’s preconceived notions)
- Correlation implies Causation (assuming that because two events are correlated, one must cause the other)
- Cum Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc Fallacy (assuming that correlation implies causation)
- False Analogy Fallacy (drawing an incorrect analogy between two things)
Can you provide me with a list of axioms?
Mathematics
- Axiom of Equality: Two objects are equal if they have all properties in common.
- Axiom of Addition: The order of addition does not matter.
- Axiom of Multiplication: The order of multiplication does not matter.
- Distributive Axiom: The distributive law holds for addition and multiplication.
- Commutative Axiom: The commutative law holds for addition and multiplication.
- Associative Axiom: The associative law holds for addition and multiplication.
- Identity Element Axiom: There exists an identity element for each operation.
- Inverse Element Axiom: For every non-zero element, there exists a multiplicative inverse.
- Axiom of Induction: A statement is true for all natural numbers if it’s true for 0 and whenever it’s true for n, it’s also true for n+1.
- Archimedean Axiom: For any two positive real numbers x and y, there exists a natural number n such that nx > y.
Geometry
- Axiom of Linearity: Through two distinct points, there passes one line.
- Axiom of Parallelism: Two lines are parallel if they do not intersect.
- Axiom of Congruence: If two figures can be transformed into each other by translation, rotation, or reflection, then they are congruent.
- Axiom of Similarity: Two figures are similar if one can be transformed into the other by a sequence of translations, rotations, and scale changes.
Logic and Set Theory
- Law of Identity: A statement is true if it is equivalent to itself.
- Law of Non-Contradiction: A statement cannot both be true and false at the same time.
- Law of Excluded Middle: A statement is either true or false, with no middle ground.
- Extensionality Axiom: Two sets are equal if they have the same elements.
- Axiom of Pairing: For any two objects a and b, there exists a pair (a, b).
- Axiom of Union: For any set S, there exists a union U(S) containing all elements of S.
Philosophy
- Axiom of Causality: Every effect has a cause.
- Axiom of Free Will: Human beings have free will and can make choices that affect their lives.
- Axiom of Existence: Something exists, rather than nothing.
- Axiom of Time: Time is a dimension in which events occur.
Economics
- Rational Choice Axiom: Individuals make rational decisions based on their preferences.
- Efficient Market Hypothesis: Markets are informationally efficient, reflecting all available knowledge.
Physics
- Axiom of Conservation: Energy and momentum are conserved in a closed system.
- Axiom of Relativity: The laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion relative to one another.
Biology
- Axiom of Evolution: All living organisms evolve through natural selection and genetic drift.
- Axiom of Homeostasis: Living systems maintain homeostasis, a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.
Computer Science
- Axiom of Computation: A computation is a sequence of operations that transform input data into output data.
- Axiom of Algorithmic Complexity: The time and space complexity of an algorithm are measures of its computational resources.
Game Theory
- Axiom of Rationality: Players act rationally to maximize their expected payoffs.
- Axiom of Nash Equilibrium: No player can improve their payoff by unilaterally changing their strategy, assuming all other players keep their strategies unchanged.
Idioms are expressions that have a figurative meaning that’s different from the literal meaning of the individual words. Here’s an extensive (but still not exhaustive) list of idioms:
Idioms related to Emotions
- A heart of gold: someone with a kind and generous nature
- Bite off more than you can chew: take on more responsibilities than you can handle
- Break a leg: good luck (often used in the context of performing arts)
- Cost an arm and a leg: something is very expensive
- Cry over spilled milk: don’t waste time feeling sorry for something that’s already happened
Idioms related to Time
- A minute to midnight: just before something important happens or is about to happen
- Beat the clock: complete something before a deadline
- Bide your time: wait patiently for the right moment to act
- Burn the midnight oil: work late into the night, often to meet a deadline
- Count down the days: eagerly await something that’s going to happen soon
Idioms related to Work and Success
- A feather in your cap: an achievement or accomplishment
- Back to the drawing board: start over from the beginning
- Be on the same page: have a shared understanding or perspective
- Bring home the bacon: earn money or achieve success
- Cut to the chase: get to the point or the most important part of a conversation
Idioms related to Relationships
- A shoulder to cry on: someone who will listen and offer support during difficult times
- Bend over backwards: go out of your way to help or accommodate someone
- Break the ice: do something to ease tension or make people feel more comfortable around each other
- Get along like a house on fire: have a very good relationship with someone
- In a nutshell: summarize or describe something briefly
Idioms related to Food and Drink
- A piece of cake: something that’s easy to do
- Bite the bullet: endure something unpleasant or difficult
- Butter someone up: flatter or try to win someone over
- Cry in your beer: feel sorry for yourself, often in a situation where you can’t change things
- Sugarcoat something: make something unpleasant sound more appealing
Idioms related to Travel and Movement
- A busman’s holiday: take a break from work, but still do something similar to what you normally do
- Burn rubber: drive quickly or recklessly
- Cut corners: take shortcuts or find ways to save time or money
- Get off on the wrong foot: start something in an awkward or unpleasant way
- Hit the road: start a journey, often for pleasure
Idioms related to Learning and Education
- A fish out of water: someone who is uncomfortable or out of place in a particular situation
- Bite off more than you can chew: take on more responsibilities or tasks than you’re capable of handling
- Burn the books: forget or dismiss something that’s been learned
- Cut to the quick: get to the most important or essential part of something
- Get a second wind: gain new energy or enthusiasm for something
Idioms related to Miscellaneous
- A black sheep: someone who is different from others in their family or group
- Bee’s knees: excellent, wonderful, or fantastic
- Burn the bridges: sever ties or connections with someone or something
- Cut your losses: stop doing something that’s not working out and move on to something else
- Get a wild hair: have an impulsive or sudden idea
Please keep in mind that this is still not an exhaustive list, and there are many more idioms in the English language.
If you’d like me to expand on any specific category or add more idioms, please let me know!
Maxims are short, memorable statements that express a general truth or principle. Here’s an extensive (but still not exhaustive) list of maxims:
Philosophical Maxims
- “Know thyself.” – Understand your own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.
- “Nothing is permanent except change.” – Everything in life is constantly changing.
- “The only constant is uncertainty.” – Be prepared for unexpected events.
- “All is fair in love and war.” – In situations where emotions or survival are at stake, normal rules may not apply.
- “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Unchecked authority can lead to abuse.
Moral Maxims
- “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” – Treat others with kindness and respect.
- “The ends justify the means.” – The outcome of an action is more important than the method used to achieve it.
- “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” – Retribution or revenge can be justified in certain situations.
- “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” – Treat others with kindness and compassion.
- “Thou shalt not kill.” – Respect human life and avoid violence.
Practical Maxims
- “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” – Appreciate what you already have rather than taking risks to get more.
- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” – Don’t assume success or good fortune until it’s actually happened.
- “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” – Diversify and spread out your resources to minimize risk.
- “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” – Stability and consistency are important for success.
- “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” – Those who speak up or complain often get attention.
Business Maxims
- “Time is money.” – Be efficient and productive to maximize profits.
- “A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Frugality and saving can lead to financial success.
- “The customer is always right.” – Prioritize customer satisfaction for business success.
- “Diversify or die.” – Spread out investments or activities to minimize risk.
- “The early bird catches the worm.” – Take action quickly to gain an advantage.
Social Maxims
- “Actions speak louder than words.” – What you do is more important than what you say.
- “All’s fair in love and friendship.” – Be willing to make sacrifices for those close to you.
- “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” – True friends will help each other in times of trouble.
- “Blood is thicker than water.” – Family ties are often stronger than friendships or romantic relationships.
- “The show must go on.” – Even in difficult circumstances, find ways to persevere and continue.
Proverbial Maxims
- “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” – The strength of a group or system depends on the abilities of all members.
- “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” – Taking care of your health through small, consistent actions can have big benefits.
- “Don’t cry over spilled milk.” – Don’t waste time feeling sorry for something that’s already happened and can’t be changed.
- “The grass is always greener on the other side.” – People often think someone else has it better than they do.
- “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” – Adapt to local customs and practices when you’re in a new or unfamiliar environment.
Please keep in mind that this is still not an exhaustive list, and there are many more maxims in various cultures and languages.
If you’d like me to expand on any specific category or add more maxims, please let me know!
Filed under: Uncategorized - @ September 19, 2024 5:26 pm