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Invalid Argument Terms/Techniques
(some of these terms do not always imply an invalid technique,
but the ploy can be labeled as such)

Ad Antiquitam            Appealing to convention or traditional action as a proof of validity.

Ad hoc                        Simply means directed to a single proposition or issue--no further implications intended. A proliferation of ad hoc adjustments to a theory indicates a crisis in acceptability.

Ad hominem (abusive)  Attacking the behavior or character of the man instead of his argument. Appealing to emotions and/or prejudices rather than to intellect or reason.

Ad Novitam                Appealing to modernity or newness as a proof of validity.

Associationism           Implying that an associative relationship is a causative one.

Affirming the Consequent   In valid logic structure when we say that if A is true then B is true, we must prove A to be true in order to conclude that B is true.  Affirming the consequent is to falsely conclude that A is true upon finding that B is true.

Authoritarianism        Unquestioning reliance on an authority or expert.

Composition Fallacy  Applying to the whole the properties of the parts.

Defeatism                   Claiming an end is impossible to achieve as a reason for not following a line of reason.

De fide                        Literally "of faith", but implying revealed by god and requiring unconditional assent.

Denying the Antecedent   In valid logic structure when we say that if A is true then B is true, we must not assume B to be false because A is false.  Denying the antecedent is to falsely conclude that B is false upon finding that A is false.

Derision                      Using an emphasis on ridicule to assail a premise or argument.

Dis-accreditation       The ploy of pointing out a lack of formal accreditation on the other side.

Disaffirmation            A contradiction or repudiation of a premise formerly stated or agreed upon.

Dismissal                    Dismissing a premise, hypothesis or theory before hearing the argument.

Dis-qualification         Excusing oneself by the ploy of being formally or academically unqualified.

Division Fallacy         Applying to the part what may be true of the whole.

Dogmatism                  Unwarranted or arrogant stating of opinion or position.

Equivocation              Using the same term or word in different and incomparable senses.

Enthusiasm                 Originally implying supernatural inspiration, it is often used to try to override logic.

Exaggeration              Overemphasizing to an extreme degree.

False analogy            An offering of resemblances that don't really imply essential similarity.

Gamblers Fallacy      Thinking that some pattern of the past has an influence on a truly random event.

Genetic Fallacy         The Origins of something is erroneously ascribed.

Ignotum per ignotius    The attempt to defend an assertion against criticism by deriving it from some
   "general  principle" that is even more vulnerable to that criticism.

Illogical                       Based on faulty logic.

Invalid emphasis         Accenting or stressing a word or phrase in a sentence where that accent or emphasis changes the probably received meaning..

Invalid syllogism         A syllogism is a major premise, minor premise and valid conclusion such as: All virtues are laudable, kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable. An invalid form would be: Some Danes are dogs, Lars is a Dane; therefore Lars is a dog.

Irrelevance                Where an argument that may support one conclusion is used to support another, or where the argument is misguided or oblique to the issue at hand.

Hyper-limitation         Intentionally and/or needlessly limiting the number of options or possibilities.

Hypocrisy*                 Originally meant lacking in judgment or lacking the quality of careful and critical thinking.  Now used here to denote an agenda other than to arrive at the truth.

Loaded Questions      Asking questions where no simple response can be reasonable, or where any response implies acceptance of what is asserted as part of the question.

Mala fide                    With intent to deceive.

Mal entendu               Misunderstood or poorly conceived.

Mal absurdum             Mis-characterization or invalid reduction to an absurdity..

Misinform                   To supply with misleading information.

Non-comparable        Not worthy of comparison.

Non sequitur               Latin for out of sequence, a break in the chain of logic with an unwarranted leap.

Pedantism                   A demand to prove the case within the conventional framework..

Petitio principii           Assuming in the premise of an argument the conclusion which is to be substantiated; a form of circular reasoning.

Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc      An argument that implies that since A preceded B in time, A caused B.

Proton Pseudos          First or fundamental falsity or error. Many times arguments start with this up front or as a hidden assumption..

Reductionism              Any method or theory that reduces data, information or processes to seeming equivalents that are less complex or developed than is the real case.

Reification                   The attempt to make a purely abstract idea or concept into a real-world extant entity.

Red Herring                The introduction of extraneous material or irrelevant argument to divert attention or focus on the issue at hand.

Simplistic demand       Demanding a simple or inadequate answer to a complex question or issue.

Special Pleading          Using a double-standard to require less rigorous treatment for one's own assertion than one would use against a counter assertion.

Straw man                   Arguing against a premise no one has taken, knocking that premise down, and then assuming or implying that you have then discredited the original at question.

Tautology                    A form of needless repetition or circular reasoning that does not advance understanding.

Ultra-Symbolism         Confusing the symbol with the reality for which it stands.

Unilateralism              Taking into account only one side of an issue or matter.

* Most men of good will would say they place the highest priority on knowing the truth, and they would deny being willing to deliberately promulgate falsehood for no higher purpose than to win an argument or to defend a personal position. These men would all claim to value the truth over what they really value more. It is in this most fundamental way--men pay lip service to the truth, then let personal agendas override--that we are using the terms hypocritical and hypocrisy.  Any man driven to use invalid techniques can be considered to be a hypocrite.

Mikamar Publishing and the editors of the thunderbolts.info site are dedicated to being circumspect and honorable in their presentation of material and their arguments for support of positions. We pledge ourselves to avoid using these invalid argument techniques.

Mikamar Publishing       971-255-1059
1217 NE 75th Ave,  Portland  OR  97213