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MENTAL MODELS: Fallacies
Fallacies based on illogical reasoning or unsound arguments are common. Spotting fallacies is a priceless skill.
Here is a list of my top 15 fallacies (in no particular order) to help us all avoid common errors in reasoning.
Which is your favourite?
Fallacies based on illogical reasoning or unsound arguments are common. Spotting fallacies is a priceless skill.
Here is a list of my top 15 fallacies (in no particular order) to help us all avoid common errors in reasoning.
Which is your favourite?
1. SUNK COST FALLACY
Actions occurring in the past that should play no part in future decision making.
It results in chasing what you’re better off losing.
Actions occurring in the past that should play no part in future decision making.
It results in chasing what you’re better off losing.
2. GOLDEN MEAN FALLACY
Concluding that the truth is a compromise between two opposing views.
Person A is convinced that the sky is blue. Person B is equally convinced that the sky is yellow. They agree to meet somewhere in the middle, concluding that the sky is green.
Concluding that the truth is a compromise between two opposing views.
Person A is convinced that the sky is blue. Person B is equally convinced that the sky is yellow. They agree to meet somewhere in the middle, concluding that the sky is green.
3. CONFIRMATION BIAS
Unquestionably accepting information that confirms or reinforces existing beliefs.
E.g. you believe that ALL scientists are smart. So when you meet a smart scientist, it’s more "evidence" to support your existing belief. Non-smart scientists are discounted.
Unquestionably accepting information that confirms or reinforces existing beliefs.
E.g. you believe that ALL scientists are smart. So when you meet a smart scientist, it’s more "evidence" to support your existing belief. Non-smart scientists are discounted.
4. COMMON BELIEF FALLACY
Incorrectly reaching a conclusion that an argument must be true because it's a widely held belief.
You need to be able to weigh up arguments and think rationally for yourself, without others' influences or biases.
Incorrectly reaching a conclusion that an argument must be true because it's a widely held belief.
You need to be able to weigh up arguments and think rationally for yourself, without others' influences or biases.
5. AD HOMINEM
Attacking your opponent’s character, personal traits, motive or authority without addressing the substance of their argument.
Think @realDonaldTrump
Attacking your opponent’s character, personal traits, motive or authority without addressing the substance of their argument.
Think @realDonaldTrump
6. STRAWMAN FALLACY
Misrepresenting an opponents argument, making it easier to attack, to fit your agenda. It’s dishonest.
Again, think @realDonaldTrump
Misrepresenting an opponents argument, making it easier to attack, to fit your agenda. It’s dishonest.
Again, think @realDonaldTrump
7. FAULTY GENERALISATION FALLACY
(AKA: Jumping to conclusions)
Drawing an expansive conclusion based on inadequate or insufficient evidence.
E.g. you've only ever seen red Ferrari's, so you incorrectly assume that all Ferrari's are red.
(AKA: Jumping to conclusions)
Drawing an expansive conclusion based on inadequate or insufficient evidence.
E.g. you've only ever seen red Ferrari's, so you incorrectly assume that all Ferrari's are red.
8. CAUSE/ EFFECT FALLACY
Concluding that because two things typically occur together, one is assumed to cause the other.
E.g. sales were down in May. A new employee was hired in May. Therefore hiring new employees cause sales to fall.
Correlation does not imply causation.
Concluding that because two things typically occur together, one is assumed to cause the other.
E.g. sales were down in May. A new employee was hired in May. Therefore hiring new employees cause sales to fall.
Correlation does not imply causation.
9. SLOTHFUL INDUCTION FALLACY
Arguing unfavourable outcomes as “coincidence”, despite all the facts presented.
E.g. attributing coincidence to the reason your investments have significantly underperformed the market for the last 20 years.
Arguing unfavourable outcomes as “coincidence”, despite all the facts presented.
E.g. attributing coincidence to the reason your investments have significantly underperformed the market for the last 20 years.
10. REDUCTION FALLACY
Oversimplifying a situation and asserting that there is a single cause of an outcome when in reality, there are many causes or reasons.
E.g. An iceberg sunk the Titanic. Therefore icebergs are the only cause of all shipwrecks.
Oversimplifying a situation and asserting that there is a single cause of an outcome when in reality, there are many causes or reasons.
E.g. An iceberg sunk the Titanic. Therefore icebergs are the only cause of all shipwrecks.
11. THE GAMBLER’S FALLACY
Incorrectly believing that the probability for an outcome after a series of outcomes isn’t the same as the probability for a single outcome.
“The last 26 spins have landed on red, so the likelihood of the next spin landing on red is less than 50%”.
Incorrectly believing that the probability for an outcome after a series of outcomes isn’t the same as the probability for a single outcome.
“The last 26 spins have landed on red, so the likelihood of the next spin landing on red is less than 50%”.
12. APPEAL TO AUTHORITY FALLACY
Using the opinion of an authority (particularly an irrelevant one) on a topic as evidence to support an argument.
E.g. using the opinion of a divorce lawyer to prove a point on criminal law.
Using the opinion of an authority (particularly an irrelevant one) on a topic as evidence to support an argument.
E.g. using the opinion of a divorce lawyer to prove a point on criminal law.
13. PERSONAL INCREDULITY FALLACY
Asserting that a proposition is false because it’s difficult to understand or it contradicts your personal expectations or beliefs.
“I can’t make a living as a YouTuber, therefore you can’t too.”
Asserting that a proposition is false because it’s difficult to understand or it contradicts your personal expectations or beliefs.
“I can’t make a living as a YouTuber, therefore you can’t too.”
14. APPEAL TO IGNORANCE FALLACY
Claiming something to be false, because it’s yet to be proven true (and vice versa).
“No studies demonstrate that parachutes are necessary to avoid death when jumping out of planes, so we can't say parachutes are helpful.”
Claiming something to be false, because it’s yet to be proven true (and vice versa).
“No studies demonstrate that parachutes are necessary to avoid death when jumping out of planes, so we can't say parachutes are helpful.”
15. CONJUNCTION FALLACY
Assuming that the conjunction of two events is more probable than one of the events on its own.
E.g. incorrectly believing that “Linda is a teacher that loves children” is more probable than “Linda is a teacher”.
Assuming that the conjunction of two events is more probable than one of the events on its own.
E.g. incorrectly believing that “Linda is a teacher that loves children” is more probable than “Linda is a teacher”.
Once you're aware of these fallacies, you begin to spot them everywhere.
