Logical fallacies: Ten common pitfalls

As a data analyst, it is essential to possess critical thinking skills and logical reasoning abilities to interpret and analyse numerical data accurately. Familiarising oneself with the concept of logical fallacies can help one identify and avoid common mistakes in reasoning. Fortunately, there is a rich history of philosophy dedicated to the study of logical reasoning, and a list of common errors in thinking is available to aid people in thinking critically and logically.

Logical fallacies are statements that could be more logically sound. They may appear solid at first glance but crumble under scrutiny. They are ubiquitous, and once you learn how to recognise them, you'll notice how often they occur and how they can undermine the point the writer is trying to make. Identifying logical fallacies will make you a better critical thinker.

Ten Common Logical Fallacies

Here is a list of the top logical fallacies that occur in everyday situations. There are a multitude of fallacies, so these are just a few.

1) Ad hominem

An ad hominem fallacy, also known as attacking the person, occurs when one attacks one's opponent's character rather than addressing the argument.

Example: The Prime Minister's economic policy is wrong because he has a big nose. 

2) Ad populum (bandwagon fallacy)

An ad populum fallacy, also known as the bandwagon fallacy, attempts to prove the truth of a proposition based only on the number of people who accept it.

Example: Without a doubt, Crocs are the best shoes out there; everyone is rocking them.

3) Straw man

A straw man fallacy involves misrepresenting an opponent's position to make it easier to defeat.

Example: If a parent tells their child they can't use their smartphone. The child responds, "Why do you hate me? You are so mean!"

4) Chronological snobbery

The chronological snobbery fallacy is a logical fallacy in which an idea is accepted or rejected based solely on its age rather than its actual merit or value.

Example: The Middle Ages were ages ago; people must have been dumb and backwards. We are so much more enlightened now.

5) Red herring

A red herring is a tactic used to divert attention from the main issue by introducing unrelated information.

Example: A couple argues about a mess in their house. Wife: "You're a slob. You leave things everywhere and never clean up!" Husband: "You make the blandest dinners. You could at least season the food!"

6) Appeal to authority

Appeal to authority is when an arguer uses an authority figure's expertise to support a claim, even if it's irrelevant or magnified.

Example: If you want your hair to grow back, you need to start taking these pills. I've seen them on American television; they said they worked with only some minor side effects.

7) Cherry picking

A cherry-picking fallacy occurs when only select evidence is presented to persuade the audience to accept a position while withholding evidence that would contradict the position.

Example: Cigarette smoking is not harmful to your health. My grandad smoked like a chimney; he lived to be ninety years old and ran marathons with a pipe in his mouth.

8) Slippery slope

In a slippery slope fallacy, the arguer makes a series of unsupported claims about a chain of events that will result from a single starting point.

Example: If I eat this doughnut, my diet will go out the window, and I can't stop. I will eventually become morbidly obese and develop gout.

9) False dilemma

A false dilemma is a standard logical fallacy that suggests only two options are available in a given situation. These two options are usually extreme opposites and fail to consider the existence of other, more reasonable options.

Example: A typical narcissist's response would be: You are neither my best friend nor my worst enemy.

10) Circular argument

A circular argument uses the same statement as both the premise and the conclusion without introducing any new information or justification.

Example: You must do your homework because it is required for this class.