What is the Fallacy of Division? Also known as “Fallacy of Decomposition,” this fallacy occurs when an arguer assumes that what is true for a whole must also be true for each part or component. In other words, they infer a conclusion about individual parts based solely on characteristics of the entire system. How does […]

What is the Fallacy of Composition? Also known as “Division Fallacy” or “Fallacy of Division,” this fallacy occurs when an arguer assumes that what is true for each part of something must also be true for the whole. In other words, they infer a conclusion about a complex system based solely on its individual components. […]

What is the Etymological Fallacy? Also known as “Etymological Error” or “Historical Definition Fallacy,” this fallacy occurs when an arguer assumes that a word’s current meaning is determined by its etymology (i.e., its origin and history). In other words, they imply that because a word once meant something in the past, it must still mean […]

What is the Ecological Fallacy? Also known as “Cross-Level Fallacy” or “Aggregate Bias,” this fallacy occurs when an arguer makes conclusions about individual-level phenomena based on aggregate or group-leveldata. This can lead to incorrect or misleading interpretations, as the relationships between variables at different levels of analysis (e.g., individuals vs. groups) may not beequivalent. How […]

What is the Persuasive Definition Fallacy? Also known as “Semantic Manipulation” or “Euphemistic Redefining,” this fallacy involves redefining a term in a way that influences people’s attitudes, opinions, or perceptions. By altering the meaning of a word or phrase, an arguer can make their argument more appealing or persuasive than it would be with its […]

What is the Fallacy of Accent? Also known as “Accent Fallacy” or “Emphasis Fallacy,” this fallacy involves manipulating the emphasis or tone of a sentence to change its meaning. By placing an accent on certain words or syllables, an arguer can make their statement appear more persuasive or convincing than it actually is. How does […]

The Motte-and-Bailey Fallacy is a fascinating and insidious type of argumentative trickery. It’s a rhetoricaltactic used to make an argument appear stronger than it actually is by employing a clever linguistic sleight ofhand. What is the Motte-and-Bailey Fallacy? The term “Motte-and-Bailey” originates from medieval fortifications, where a motte was a raised earthwork ormound, and a […]

Definitional Retreat: A Evasive Tactic In the realm of writing and argument, a subtle yet effective tactic has been employed by many to avoid criticism or defeat: definitional retreat. This technique involves redefining key terms or concepts in an effort to change the conversation’s trajectory or avoid admitting error. What is Definitional Retreat? Definitional retreat […]

The Ambiguous Middle Term Fallacy is a type of logical error that occurs when someone uses a syllogism (a three-part argument) with an ambiguous or unclear middle term, leading to false conclusions. What is a Syllogism? A syllogism is a form of reasoning that consists of three statements: For example: All humans (A) are mortal […]

In the pursuit of a safe and secure society, governments and institutions often find themselves at odds with individual freedoms. This tension between freedom and security has been a recurring theme throughout history, with some arguing that certain liberties must be sacrificed in order to ensure public safety. However, this notion is not without its […]