Formal Fallacies
A formal fallacy is an error in logic that can be seen in the argument's form. All formal fallacies are specific types of non sequiturs.
- Appeal to probability – takes something for granted because it would probably be the case (or might be the case).
- Argument from fallacy – assumes that if an argument for some conclusion is fallacious, then the conclusion itself is false.
- Base rate fallacy – making a probability judgement based on conditional probabilities, without taking into account the effect of prior probabilities.
- Conjunction fallacy – assumption that an outcome simultaneously satisfying multiple conditions is more probable than an outcome satisfying a single one of them.
- Masked man fallacy (illicit substitution of identicals) – the substitution of identical designators in a true statement can lead to a false one.
Read more about this topic: Shotgun Argumentation
Famous quotes containing the word formal:
“This is no argument against teaching manners to the young. On the contrary, it is a fine old tradition that ought to be resurrected from its current mothballs and put to work...In fact, children are much more comfortable when they know the guide rules for handling the social amenities. It’s no more fun for a child to be introduced to a strange adult and have no idea what to say or do than it is for a grownup to go to a formal dinner and have no idea what fork to use.”
—Leontine Young (20th century)