Faulty Reasoning Defining and Examples Logical thinking is critical in a debate, both in arguing your position and in tearing down your opponents’ arguments. Be sure not to argue by using faulty reasoning! See the definitions and examples below. Practice identifying faulty reasoning by making your own examples. Definition Over Generalization Arriving at conclusions based on too few examples. at those kids writing on “Look that wall; all teenagers are vandals.” Faulty Comparisons Comparing two subjects that are actually more different than they are similar. not worried about high “I’m school; I breezed through junior high” Mistaking the cause Assuming an effect is due to only one cause and ignoring other possible causes. bought that “Ever since we ski-doo, his marks have fallen.” Name Calling Resort to derogatory statements rather than providing logic. too young to “You’re understand.”
Faulty Reasoning Defining and Examples Logical thinking is critical in a debate, both in arguing your position and in tearing down your opponents’ arguments. Be sure not to argue by using faulty reasoning! See the definitions and examples below. Practice identifying faulty reasoning by making your own examples. Definition Over Generalization “Look at those kids writing on that wall; all teenagers are vandals.” Arriving at conclusions based on too few examples. Faulty Comparisons “I’m not worried about high school; I breezed through junior high” Comparing two subjects that are actually more different than they are similar. Mistaking the cause “Ever since we bought that ski-doo, his marks have fallen.” Assuming an effect is due to only one cause and ignoring other possible causes. Name Calling “You’re too young to understand.” Resort to derogatory statements rather than providing logic.
Faulty_Reasoning.docx