5 Common Logical Fallacies with Examples - See What Most Never See

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine arguments. Recognizing them helps you think critically—a key Stoic skill. Below are 10 common fallacies, each with 5 real-world examples.

1. Straw Man

Definition: Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.Examples:

Politics: "My opponent wants open borders!" (When they actually support immigration reform.)
Debates: "You don’t support tax cuts? So you want everyone to be poor?"
Media: "Climate activists want to ban all cars!" (Most just advocate cleaner energy.)
Workplace: "You want flexible hours? So you’re lazy?"
Social Media: "You like capitalism? So you’re okay with child labor?"

2. Ad Hominem

Definition: Attacking the person instead of their argument.Examples:

Politics: "You can’t trust her policy—she’s divorced!"
Online Debates: "You’re just a teenager; what do you know?"
Workplace: "His idea is bad because he’s new here."
Media: "That scientist is funded by XYZ corporation, so his research is fake."
Family: "You’re too young to understand marriage."

3. False Dilemma (Black-or-White)

Definition: Presenting only two options when more exist.Examples:

Politics: "Either we ban guns, or crime will skyrocket!"
Health: "If you don’t take this supplement, you’ll stay sick forever."
Relationships: "If you loved me, you’d cut off your friends."
Work: "It’s my way or the highway."
Media: "You’re either with us or against free speech."

4. Appeal to Authority

Definition: Claiming something is true because an "expert" says so (even if irrelevant).Examples:

Ads: "9 out of 10 dentists recommend this gum!"
Politics: "A famous actor supports this policy, so it must be good."
Religion: "The pope said it, so it’s true." (Without evidence.)
Science: "Einstein believed in God, so atheism is wrong."
Business: "Our CEO says this strategy works, so no need for data."

5. Slippery Slope

Definition: Arguing that a small step will lead to an extreme outcome without proof.Examples:

Parenting: "If we let kids play video games, they’ll become school shooters!"
Politics: "Legalizing marijuana will lead to heroin addiction everywhere!"
Workplace: "If we allow remote work, productivity will collapse!"
Social Issues: "If gay marriage is legalized, people will marry animals!"
Health: "If you skip the gym once, you’ll become obese!"

These are just 5 of the many logical fallacies that we face every day.

I doubt 1 in 1000 people even know what fallacy means.

Understanding a few fallacies will completely shift the way you approach information because you will start to see the flaws in it. Rather than blindly accepting knowledge, you will begin to analyze, question and put off making a decision. This will help divorce yourself from pointless quarrels and burning precious energy.

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