A logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning that makes an argument misleading or unconvincing. It often appears to be a sound argument due to its structure or emotional appeal , but upon closer examination, it lacks proper support or relies on faulty connections between the evidence and the conclusion.
- Deceptive: Logical fallacies can be deceptive because they may seem logical on the surface, but they contain errors or misleading information.
- Informal vs. Formal: There are two main categories: informal fallacies, which involve errors in reasoning or relevance, and formal fallacies, which have flaws in their logical structure.
- Common: Logical fallacies are frequently used unintentionally due to poor reasoning or intentionally to persuade others through manipulation.
Understanding and identifying logical fallacies is crucial for critical thinking and evaluating the validity of arguments you encounter in various situations.