Unpacking Types of Informal Fallacy: A Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to reasoning and argumentation, fallacies can undermine the validity of an argument. But not all fallacies are created equal, and some are more common than others. One important distinction to make is between formal fallacies and informal fallacies. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll focus on the latter and explore some of the most prevalent types of informal fallacy.

What is a fallacy?

Before diving into the types of informal fallacy, it’s crucial to define what a fallacy is. In essence, a fallacy is a flaw or error in reasoning that undermines the logical structure of an argument. By relying on faulty premises, invalid inferences, or deceptive rhetoric, a fallacious argument may appear persuasive at first glance, but is ultimately unsound. While some fallacies are more subtle than others, they all share the same basic pattern of violating the norms of good reasoning.

What is an informal fallacy?

An informal fallacy, as the name suggests, is a type of fallacy that does not arise from a violation of formal logic rules. Rather, informal fallacies occur when an argument appears to be logically valid, but in reality, relies on common mistakes in reasoning that can be addressed by critical thinking and logical analysis. These types of fallacies are often related to language, emotion, or context and can be more difficult to detect than formal fallacies.

Types of Informal Fallacy

Now that we know what informal fallacies are let’s explore some of the most common types.

Ad Hominem Fallacy

The ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. When this happens, the attacker is attempting to discredit the argument by attacking the character of the person making it. This type of fallacy is often seen in political debates or personal arguments. An example of this fallacy could be “You can’t trust him, he’s a known liar.”

Appeal to Authority Fallacy

Appeal to authority happens when someone argues that a conclusion must be true because an authority figure says it is. This type of fallacy can be seen in commercials where celebrities endorse a product. Just because someone is an authority on a subject, doesn’t mean they are always correct. Though it is important to note that expert testimony is valid and can be taken as reliable evidence.

Strawman Fallacy

The strawman fallacy occurs when someone misrepresents an opponent’s argument to make it easier to rebut. Essentially, the arguer is attacking a position that the other person doesn’t hold. It’s easier to attack a position that doesn’t exist than it is to argue against someone’s actual position. This fallacy is often used to discredit a view without having to put in the work of actually understanding it.

Begging the Question/Circular Reasoning

This occurs when an argument assumes the truth of what it is trying to prove without any additional evidence. This fallacy is subtly pervasive in societal norms, and can often be seen in everyday conversations. An example of this fallacy is a statement like “The Bible is true because it is the word of God.”

Conclusion

As beginners, it’s important to understand the many types of informal fallacies that can be encountered in our daily lives. By identifying and learning common types of informal fallacies, people can effectively and critically analyze the arguments we hear. Doing so is invaluable in reasoning and thinking critically. Remember, just because an argument sounds convincing, doesn’t mean it is. Apply critical thinking and separate emotions from facts when analyzing arguments.