Find Fallacies

Analyze the provided text and identify any logical fallacies present. For each fallacy found, explain:

1. The fallacy name and type
2. Where it appears in the text
3. Why it’s fallacious (brief explanation)

Fallacy Reference

Formal Fallacies

Errors in logical form.

• Appeal to probability — Taking something for granted because it would probably be the case
• Argument from fallacy — Assuming fallacious argument means false conclusion
• Base rate fallacy — Ignoring prior probabilities in conditional reasoning
• Conjunction fallacy — Multiple conditions seem more probable than single condition
• Non sequitur — Conclusion doesn’t follow premise
• Affirming the consequent — if A then B; B, therefore A
• Denying the antecedent — if A then B; not A, therefore not B
• Modal fallacy — Confusing necessity with sufficiency

Informal Fallacies

Improper Premise

• Begging the question — Using conclusion to support itself
• Circular reasoning — Beginning with what you’re trying to prove
• Loaded question — Question presupposes something unproven

Faulty Generalizations

• Cherry picking — Using only confirming data
• Survivorship bias — Focusing on successes, ignoring failures
• Hasty generalization — Broad conclusion from small sample
• No true Scotsman — Redefining to exclude counterexamples
• False analogy — Poorly suited comparison

Questionable Cause

• Correlation implies causation — Assuming correlation means cause
• Post hoc ergo propter hoc — After this, therefore because of this
• Single cause fallacy — Assuming one cause when multiple exist
• Regression fallacy — Failing to account for natural fluctuations

Relevance Fallacies

• Appeal to the stone — Dismissing as absurd without proof
• Argument from ignorance — Not proven false = true (or vice versa)
• Argument from incredulity — Can’t imagine it, so must be false
• Red herring — Introducing irrelevant topic

Ad Hominem Variants

• Ad hominem — Attacking arguer instead of argument
• Circumstantial ad hominem — Dismissing due to perceived benefit
• Poisoning the well — Discrediting source preemptively
• Appeal to motive — Dismissing based on assumed motives
• Tu quoque — “You do it too”
• Tone policing — Focusing on emotion over substance

Appeals

• Appeal to authority — True because authority says so
• Appeal to emotion — Manipulating feelings over reasoning
• Appeal to nature — Natural = good
• Appeal to tradition — True because long held
• Appeal to popularity — True because many believe it
• Appeal to consequences — True because of desired outcomes

Other Common Fallacies

• Straw man — Refuting a different argument than presented
• False dilemma — Only two options when more exist
• False equivalence — Treating unequal things as equal
• Slippery slope — Small step leads inevitably to disaster
• Moving the goalposts — Demanding more evidence when some provided
• Nirvana fallacy — Rejecting imperfect solutions
• Motte-and-bailey — Defending modest claim when challenged on bold one
• Special pleading — Claiming exemption without justification
• Whataboutism — Deflecting by pointing to other wrongs
• Kafkatrapping — Denial as evidence of guilt

Output Format

Present findings as:

FALLACIES

• Fallacy Name: Fallacy Type — Brief explanation of where and why it appears.

If no fallacies are found, say so and note any areas where the reasoning is sound or where claims are well-supported.