After all, the dinosaurs ate plants and we all know what happened to them.

Well, let's pause for a moment.

That argument was ridiculous, and that's because it contained a logical fallacy.

A logical fallacy is any kind of error and reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

They can involve distorting or manipulating facts, drawing false conclusions or distracting you from the actual issue at hand.

In theory, it seems like they'd be pretty easy to spot.

But this isn't always the case.

Sometimes logical fallacies are used intentionally to try and win a debate in these cases there, often presented by the speaker with a certain level of confidence, and in doing so, they're more persuasive.

If they sound like they know what they're talking about, we're more likely to believe them, even if their stance doesn't make complete logical sense.

One common logical fallacy is the false cause.

This is when someone incorrectly identifies the cause of something.

In my argument, I stated that the dinosaurs became extinct because they ate vegetables.

Now, while these two separate things did happen, a diet of vegetables was not the cause of their extinction.

Maybe you've heard false cause more commonly represented by the phrase correlation does not equal causation, meaning that just because two things occurred around the same time, it doesn't mean that one caused the other.

A straw man is when someone takes an argument and misrepresents it so that it's easier to attack.

For example, let's say Callie is advocating that Sporks should be the new standard for silverware, since they're more efficient.

Madeleine responds that she shocked Callie, would want to outlaw spoons and forks and put millions out of work at the fork and spoon factories.

A strong man is frequently used in politics in an effort to discredit another politician's views on a particular issue.

Begging the question is a type of circular argument where someone includes the conclusion as a part of their reasoning, George says ghosts exist because I saw a ghost in my closet.

His conclusion is ghosts exist.

His premise also assumes that ghosts exist.

Rather than assuming that ghosts exist from the get go, George should be using evidence and reasoning to prove that they exist.

The false dilemma or false dichotomy is a logical fallacy where a situation is presented as being an either or option when in reality, their arm or possible options available than just the chosen to Rebecca rings the doorbell.

But Ethan doesn't answer.

She then thinks, Oh, Ethan must not be home.

Rebecca posits that either Ethan answers the door or he isn't home.

In reality, he could be sleeping, doing some work in the backyard or taking a shower.

Most logical fallacies can be spotted by thinking critically.

Make sure to ask questions.

Is logic at work here, or is it simply rhetoric?

Does their proof actually lead to the conclusion they're proposing?

By applying critical thinking, you'll be able to detect logical fallacies in the world around you and prevent yourself from using them as well.

G c F global creating opportunities for a better life.