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Geoff332 · Oct 2, 2003, 08:00 pm

Here is a long ariticle on fallacies. It's long because it lists most of the common fallacies -- of which there are a lot. They give four definitions of a fallacy:

Quote:

The term "fallacy" is not a precise term. One reason is that it is ambiguous. It can refer either to (a) a kind of error in an argument, (b) a kind of error in reasoning (including arguments, definitions, explanations, etc.), © a false belief, or (d) the cause of any of the previous errors including what are normally referred to as "rhetorical techniques". Philosophers who are researchers in fallacy theory prefer to emphasize meaning (a), but their lead is often not followed in textbooks and public discussion.

Whichever definition of 'fallacy' one adopts, it means that the reasoning is flawed and needs to be revised.

I highly recommend reading through the list of fallacies. Most of us here (myself included) rely more on fallacies than on sound argument.

Sodfather · Oct 2, 2003, 10:08 pm

Those are very interesting concepts; I especially like Accent - it's a sly little bugger. But, um, I thought a fallacy could simply be defined as a lie?

Geoff332 · Oct 2, 2003, 10:15 pm

A fallacy is (literally) a false statement. When you knowingly make a false statement, it is a lie. When you unwittingly make a false statement, it is not a lie, but is still a fallacy.

In philosophy, a fallacy is generally not treated as intentional (there are exceptions to this rule, of course), but an unwitting error.

RebelWithanAK · Oct 2, 2003, 10:26 pm

I had already bookmarked this, I just realized. Of course, I'd have to say that all too often in political debate, fallacies are still unwitting (but entirely sincere) errors...

xm.bretton · Oct 3, 2003, 04:19 pm

The Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism

GreatWyrm of Babylon · Oct 3, 2003, 07:56 pm

This is a better list.

Geoff332 · Oct 3, 2003, 08:21 pm

What is it about that second list that makes it better?

GreatWyrm of Babylon · Oct 3, 2003, 09:19 pm

My mistake, only saw your quote, not your link. Makes them even. :)

Oct 2, 2003, 10:26 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
RebelWithanAK Igneous Magma Location: New York City Posts: 739	I had already bookmarked this, I just realized. Of course, I'd have to say that all too often in political debate, fallacies are still unwitting (but entirely sincere) errors... . . . whenever any government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such forms as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Oct 3, 2003, 04:19 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
xm.bretton Molten Ash Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 89	The Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism xm.bretton xhalation.com

Oct 3, 2003, 07:56 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
GreatWyrm of Babylon Avatar of Tiamut Location: Dallas, Texas (Irving) Posts: 848	This is a better list. Logical Fallicies Link

Oct 2, 2003, 10:08 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
Sodfather Igneous Magma Posts: 327	Those are very interesting concepts; I especially like Accent - it's a sly little bugger. But, um, I thought a fallacy could simply be defined as a lie?

Oct 2, 2003, 10:15 pm	#3 (permalink) (top)
Geoff332 Igneous Magma Location: New Zealand Posts: 309	A fallacy is (literally) a false statement. When you knowingly make a false statement, it is a lie. When you unwittingly make a false statement, it is not a lie, but is still a fallacy. In philosophy, a fallacy is generally not treated as intentional (there are exceptions to this rule, of course), but an unwitting error.

Oct 3, 2003, 08:21 pm	#7 (permalink) (top)
Geoff332 Igneous Magma Location: New Zealand Posts: 309	What is it about that second list that makes it better?

Oct 3, 2003, 09:19 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
GreatWyrm of Babylon Avatar of Tiamut Location: Dallas, Texas (Irving) Posts: 848	My mistake, only saw your quote, not your link. Makes them even. :)