Fallacy
/ˈfæləsi/
Definitions
A failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid; a deceptive or misleading argument.
/ˈfæləsi/
A mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound arguments.
His argument contained a number of fallacies.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a house with a weak foundation. A fallacy is like that weak foundation – the whole argument crumbles because of a mistake in thinking. For instance, thinking all tall people are good at basketball, that's a fallacy!
👶 For kids: A fallacy is like a mistake in thinking. It's when you believe something that isn't really true, because the reasons are wrong.
More Examples
The belief that eating chocolate causes acne is a common fallacy.
Detecting fallacies in political discourse is essential for informed citizenship.
How It's Used
"The politician's argument contained several fallacies, including a straw man and an appeal to emotion."
"Detecting fallacies in reasoning is crucial to critical thinking."
"It's a fallacy to assume that all rich people are unhappy."
Idioms & expressions
appeal to fallacy
This is a logical fallacy where a conclusion is drawn solely on the premise that the other argument is fallacious.
"His argument was full of logical errors, so I dismissed it, but that's an appeal to fallacy."
From Late Latin *fallacia* meaning 'deception, deceit', from *fallax* (genitive *fallacis*) meaning 'deceptive', from *fallere* 'to deceive'.
The term 'fallacy' has been used in philosophical and logical contexts since ancient times. It was a central concept in Aristotelian logic.
Memory tip
Think 'falling' down a logical path. A fallacy makes the whole argument collapse.
Word Origin
"deception, deceit"