Fallacies

From Logic

Fallacies are fatal flaws in a logical argument - these flaws invalidate the entire argument, no matter the real truth value of the conclusion of the argument, because the existence of a fallacy in an argument indicates that the argument is incapable of proving support for the arguer's contention.

There are two different categories of fallacies - Formal and informal.

Formal Fallacies - All arguments can be broken down into general forms according to the way the premises are presented. Some of these forms are valid, and others invalid. In order to understand these forms, background information regarding the argument "forms" must first be presented. Accordingly, this will be dealt with in a following section

Informal Fallacies in order to identify informal fallacies, an analysis of the content of an argument must be undertaken directly. An argument may possess a valid form, but may make an informal fallacy.

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References

Hurely, P. J. (2000) A Concise Introduction to Logic - 7th Edition