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fallacy

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

fallacy in logic, a term used to characterize an invalid argument. Strictly speaking, it refers only to the transition from a set of premises to a conclusion, and is distinguished from falsity, a value attributed to a single statement. The laws of syllogisms were systematically elaborated by Aristotle, and for an argument to be valid, it must adhere to all the laws; to be fallacious, it need only break one (see syllogism ). The term fallacy has come to be used in a somewhat wider sense than the purely formal one. Informal fallacies are said to occur when statements are ambiguous or vague as to the logical form they represent, or when a multiplicity of meaning is present and the validity of the argument depends on switching meanings of a word or a phrase in midstream.

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FALLACY

Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language | 1998 | | © Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

FALLACY. In general usage, a false and often deceitful idea; in logic, a line of reasoning (also known as a paralogism) that may seem valid but is not. Fallacies of discourse were first described in Greek and Latin, and many therefore retain their classical names, either uniquely or alongside a vernacular label. They include: (1) Argumentum ad baculum [Latin: argument backed by a stick]. Resorting to threat in order to have a point accepted. (2) Argumentum ad hominem [Latin: argument directed at the person]. Often called an ad hominem argument or an ad hominem attack. Seeking to disprove a point by attacking the people making that point, either in terms of their character or by referring to their personal circumstances as an explanation of why a position has been adopted. (3) Argumentum ad populum [Latin: argument directed at the people]. An appeal to popular opinion, bias, and inclination. (4) Non sequitur [Latin: it does not follow]. A statement in which the premisses of an argument do not lead to the conclusion provided. (5) Post hoc ergo propter hoc [Latin: after this therefore because of this]. Asserting that because A came before B, A caused B.

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TOM McARTHUR. "FALLACY." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

TOM McARTHUR. "FALLACY." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (July 9, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-FALLACY.html

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fallacy

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

fallacy deception XV; logical flaw, delusive notion XVI; delusive nature XVIII. — L. fallācia, f. fallāx, fallāc-, f. fallere deceive.
So fallacious XVI. — (O)F. fallacieux. See -ACY, -ACIOUS.

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T. F. HOAD. "fallacy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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T. F. HOAD. "fallacy." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved July 09, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-fallacy.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Fallacy-free reasoning in medicine; improving communication and decision making in research and practice.(Brief article)(Book review)
Magazine article from: SciTech Book News; 12/1/2008
Free Article Fallacy overlooked.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
Magazine article from: St. Louis Journalism Review; 12/1/2008
Free Article The 99% fallacy. (Strategic Defense Initiative)
Magazine article from: Washington Monthly; 10/1/1985

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Fallacy-free reasoning in medicine; improving communication and decision making in research and practice.(Brief article)(Book review)
Magazine article from: SciTech Book News; 12/1/2008; 146 words ; 9781603590990 Fallacy-free reasoning in medicine; improving communication and...many specific examples of types of fallacies, such as the fallacy of exclusion and red herring fallacy, and comments on their occurrence in medicine. ([c]20082005... Read more
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Magazine article from: St. Louis Journalism Review; 12/1/2008; ; 78 words ; Fallacies in the media (SJR, Oct. 20008) could help bridge our logic gap. However, was one fallacy overlooked, Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (after this--therefore because of this)? Visualize the old cartoon I once used with students... Read more
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