15 Common Logical Fallacies

Overwhelmed and confused by fallacies? Master this short list to avoid falling for the most common misleading arguments.
Learn more: thinkingispowe...

[@johnhavens8199]

During your explanation of the false cause fallacy you suggest, we should learn to recognize our own biases. Now there’s a topic for an entire Video! Love what you’re doing.

[@ThinkingPowers]

I have one in the works, so thanks for the reminder!

[@dancevideo2]

Is there a reliable way to detect our own bias, entirely by ourselves? If I had some tendency to discount any uncomfortable information, for example, wouldn't I always conclude my opinion is unbiased, so long as I feel free to ignore any evidence that suggests otherwise? Left to our own devices, do we tend to consider ourselves correct, and our habits not in need of change?

[@critikidvid]

@dancevideo2 I think we can if we are aware of them (maybe not in all cases, though). For example, I notice myself being swayed by the sunk cost fallacy, which is a kind of cognitive bias too.

[@dancevideo2]

@@critikidvid Yes, I have caught myself in some forms of flawed thinking. But I suspect I have biases I will not discover on my own. Given that I'm using an already-known-imperfect brain to think with, I doubt it can really see all important parts of itself without external help, in the same way it's hard to see the back of your head without the help of mirrors, or someone else who can have a look from another viewpoint.

[@randomdude571]

Very good information. I wish more people would take time to learn the basics of how to think more critically.

[@dancevideo2]

A very good summary in my opinion. Currently YT says 9K views after 3 weeks. Imagine a world in which content like this achieved the viewership that something like "Baby Shark Dance" does in the world we do live in. (You may say I'm a dreamer/ But I'm not the only one?) There is evidence leading me to believe that, while humans may be uniquely good at logical thought, it may not be our most popular or widespread mode of operation.

[@ThinkingPowers]

Honestly, it’s incredibly frustrating.

[@judasp11]

Outstanding video and informative. Thank you

[@UrbanERecycling]

I found you via Harmonic Athiest. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this video. I would suggest you take one per video and give a lot of examples. I want to know more about logical fallacies. I purchased a deck of cards that explains the same. I still feel I need to know more and how to recognize them. I am surrounded by fallacy offenders.

[@trevorodell5564]

There's a more simple principle behind the appeal to authority that makes it a lot less complicated, and prevents invoking a bandwagon as a third exception: it Substitutes authority for evidence. A quick way to distinguish expert from authority is to simply ask for supporting evidence to substantiate the expert opinion, in which case the expert will provide it, and the authority will likely not. If my neighbor prescribes medical treatment to everyone based on the general CDC or NIH stance, but can't explain why that stance is appropriate to everyone, especially to my family personally, she clearly differentiates herself from my doctor who can explain the basis if his prescriptions and how my circumstances might modify them. The expert is obvious between the two: Even if the authorities might Also have medical degrees, they haven't examined the patient, so they're lacking the key specific expertise necessary to avoid a hasty generalization.

[@UrbanERecycling]

Another thing. I was wondering if you have a nice or acceptable way to combat/answer a fallacy when it's recognized in another person? Should you call them out on it?

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thanks for the kind words! That’s a good idea regarding the fallacy videos. As for your question: I generally don’t think it’s productive to call out fallacies, although there are exceptions to every rule. People don’t tend to change their minds when you accuse them of committing illogical arguments. :)

[@dantallman5345]

Nice! Very clearly explained. I have never been a huge fan of formalizing the logical fallacies and have always linked these to debates, which I think are often pointless. However, understanding logical fallacies helps us evaluate information or our own positions is however, really useful. That is the focus here. Btw- the book Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar is a fun way to learn logic via jokes.

[@ThinkingPowers]

I’ve never heard of that book. Looking it up now!

[@tslim448]

Well done! Thank you for taking the time to talk about these.

[@RiazLaghari]

informative!

[@mjfentertainment6927]

Loved watching this! I enjoyed the bonus at the end, I was wondering about that as I watched

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thanks!

[@critikidvid]

Great video, Melanie!

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thank you!

[@CraigGood]

Excellent summary!

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thank you!😊

[@lettuceboy2382]

Is there a difference between a claim being disproven, and a claim that does not have evidence for it?

[@ThinkingPowers]

Great question! Claims that have been disproven are known to not be true. Claims that don’t have evidence could be true or not true, we just don’t know either way.

[@lettuceboy2382]

@@ThinkingPowers OK so fair to say that the autism vaccine link is disproven while the spaghetti monster flying around Jupiter has no evidence?

[@zecuse]

A minor nitpick for the 3rd type of appeal to authority is the minority opinion either isn't backed by evidence or is incorrectly using evidence for their minority position. Even authorities can make mistakes. At one point, the current consensus position was a minority position. Another common fallacy is the the fallacy of composition (and by extension fallacy of division). Assuming that something is true of the whole because it's true for all or some part doesn't always follow (and by extension, true of all or some part because it's true of the whole). Individually, hydrogen and oxygen are really good fuel for fire but water, a combination of both, is really good at stopping fire. By extension, water is really good at stopping fire, but its components are really good fuel.

[@carl-isaakkrulewitch7810]

Great video! Super interesting watch

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thanks!

[@joshuapreston4846]

Trust your instincts. But examine where they come from 😁.

[@intercsaki]

thanks for this, I can share this around :)

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thank you! :)

[@intercsaki]

@@ThinkingPowers Great job! I wish I found these contents in YT shorts as well... perhaps each fallacy could be its own 1 minute video with the diagrams, also directly linking back to this video?

[@ThinkingPowers]

@@intercsaki I’ve posted some of them on TikTok and FB as short videos. Do I post them here as well?

[@UrbanERecycling]

@@intercsaki That was my suggestion. I paused quite a bit to think about things.

[@aradais1087]

I need that beautiful t shirt!

[@ThinkingPowers]

Thanks!!! I love it, but I’m biased. It’s on my website. thinkingispower.com/shop/

[@frgv4060]

How to identify fallacies on your opponent and how to smartly use them to win. Because on social media… any appeal to honesty is just another fallacy 😂. Edit: American using “Ghost” instead of the obvious “God”… Is that a type of fallacy? 😂 Just asking.

[@zecuse]

For the "ghost" part, it'd likely be a false equivalence.

[@dancevideo2]

I notice an old idea about the shape of the earth is mentioned as an example under "bandwagon fallacy". I find the history of answers to this question is a good example of how actual relevant evidence leads people to the same conclusion. Imagining they can figure it out by themselves without reference to real evidence, can and has lead people in many different and contradictory directions. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth

[@judasp11]

Outstanding video and informative. Thank you