There is twelve Fallacies of Reasoning.  We call people who cleverly use these techniques to further their self-interests Devils of Deceit.  The Devils of Deceit use Motivated Reasoning, seeking to win the games of Personal Power, Profit and Pleasure.  Briefly discuss which two Fallacies of Reasoning you fail to recognize?

 

Fallacies of Reasoning

Use of Vague or Undefined Terms

         Frequently weak or meaningless statements can result from using words that are vague or difficult to define.  Disagreements can arise from differing interpretations or connotations of words that are used.  (See Snarl words and Purr words below.)  Remember Step 1 of Deductive Reasoning.

Snarl Words and Purr Words

         Words create emotion that actively imprints in our unconscious mind.  Occasionally the emotional content can vary greatly between individuals or groups. Use of these words can hinder dialog or sidetrack the discussion.

Ad Hominem

         An inappropriate appeal to emotion can be an attack against the person, not the issue.

Appeal to Authority

         Stating that some respected authority (individual or institution) supports and idea is not sufficient evidence for giving credence to the idea.  A testimonial is an example of appealing to this form of reasoning.

Rationalization

         Rationalization is giving a plausible reason or explanation, though that is not the real reason.

Generalizations and Over-generalizations

         Induction is the process of inferring something more general form something specific. Errors can result from generalizing too broadly.  For example, when George Bush and Al Gore talked about their tax programs, they showed examples of plans where families would get huge tax breaks.  They assumed the public would think this would happen for them as they made the logic leap from these specific examples to the general public.

Stereotypes

         Reasoning based on the perception that some characteristic is true, when in fact it need not be true, is stereotyping.

Cause and Effect

         Mistaking that a coincidence or a correlation means that there is an underlying cause between two things is making a cause and effect error.  This is a generalization of the Latin post hoc, ergo propter hoc "after this, therefore because of this."

Either/Or Fallacy

         Asserting that only two options are possible when there are actually other possibilities is an either/or fallacy.  This should remind you of fuzzy logic.

False Analogy

         A false analogy is assuming that two things are similar or can be compared when that is actually not the case.

Circular Reasoning

         Basing a conclusion on premises that contain the conclusion is circular.  This is usually very blatant, but occasionally quite subtle and hard to detect.

Bandwagon/Snob Appeal

         Pressuring someone to believe something simply in order to conform or to belong or to appear "better" is snob appeal.