Logical fallacies are arguments that, on the surface, might appear to make sense, but are actually incorrect, flawed logic.

Here are some common logical fallacies:

Appeal to the Crowd

Everyone believes something is true, therefore it must be true.

Example. Everyone thinks Frank Sinatra wrote “New York, New York.” Therefore, Frank Sinatra wrote “New York, New York.”

Opposition Fallacy

If the opposing team, party, group, etc. believes something to be true or good, then it must be false or bad.

Example. Republicans believe the  sky is blue. Therefore, the sky is not blue.

Appeal to Ignorance

If something cannot be proven, then it cannot be true.

Example. No one has proved Bigfoot exists. Bigfoot does not exist.

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

What precedes must be the cause.

Example. Shannon had a beer, then got an A  on her philosophy paper. Therefore, Shannon got an A because she  had a beer.

Appeal to False Authority

A smart person said it. Therefore it is true.

Example. Einstein is credited with defining insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results (Side note: He never said it). It must be accurate because Einstein said it.

Avoid logical fallacies in your rhetoric.