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Fallacies in Arguments 
 
Here are some examples of fallacies you may encounter when making an 
argument: 
 Appeal to Ignorance - An appeal to ignorance occurs when one person 
uses another person’s lack of knowledge on a particular subject as 
evidence that their own argument is correct. 
For example: “You can’t prove that there aren’t Martians living in caves 
under the surface of Mars, so it is reasonable for me to believe there 
are.” 
 
 Appeal to Authority - In this case, rather than focusing on the merits of 
an argument, the arguer will try to attach their argument to a person of 
authority in an attempt to give credence to their argument. 
For example: “Well, Isaac Newton believed in Alchemy, do you think you 
know more than Isaac Newton?” 
 
 Appeal to Popular Opinion - This type of appeal is when someone claims 
that an idea or belief is true simply because it is what most people 
believe. 
For example: “Lots of people bought this album, so it must be good.” 
 
 Association Fallacy - Sometimes called "guilt by association," this occurs 
when someone links a specific idea or practice with something or 
someone negative in order to infer guilt on another person. 
For example: “Hitler was a vegetarian, therefore, I don’t trust 
vegetarians.” 
 
 Attacking the Person - Also known as Argumentum ad Hominem 
(argument against the man), this is quite a common occurrence in 
debates and refers to a person who substitutes a rebuttal with a personal 
insult. 
 
 
For example: “Don’t listen to Eddie’s arguments on education, he’s an 
idiot.” 
 
 Begging the Question - This type of fallacy is when the conclusion of an 
argument is assumed in the phrasing of the question itself. 
For example: “If aliens didn’t steal my newspaper, who did?” (assume 
that the newspaper was actually stolen). 
 
 Circular Argument - Also referred to as Circulus in Probando, this fallacy 
is when an argument takes its proof from a factor within the argument 
itself, rather than from an external one. 
For example: “I believe that Frosted Flakes are great because it says so 
on the Frosted Flakes packaging.” 
 
 Correlation Implies Causation Fallacy - Otherwise known as Cum Hoc 
Ergo Propter Hoc, this is a fallacy in which the person making the 
argument connects two events which happen sequentially and assumes 
that one caused the other. 
For example: “I saw a magpie and ten minutes later, I crashed my car, 
therefore, magpies are bad luck.” 
 
 False Dilemma/Dichotomy - Sometimes referred to as Bifurcation, this 
type of fallacy occurs when someone presents their argument in such a 
way that there are only two possible options. 
For example: “If you don’t vote for this candidate, you must be a 
Communist.” 
 
 Non Sequitur - A fallacy wherein someone asserts a conclusion that does 
not follow from the propositions. 
For example: “All Dubliners are from Ireland. Ronan is not a Dubliner, 
therefore, he is not Irish.” 
 
 
 Slippery Slope - Assuming that a very small action will inevitably lead to 
extreme and often ludicrous outcomes. 
For example: “If we allow gay people to get married, what’s next? 
Allowing people to marry their dogs?” 
As you can see, there are many different types of fallacies and many 
argumentative techniques or types of arguments can easily turn into 
fallacies when poorly worked. Arguing with someone who uses false 
logic, or using false arguments, like this can be a frustrating experience.