The sunk cost fallacy: Following through on a project or decision because we have already invested time, effort, or money into it, even if the current costs outweigh the benefits.

Ecological fallacy: Making inferences about the nature of individuals based on aggregate data for the group.

Correlation/causation fallacy: Claiming that two events that occur together have a cause-and-effect relationship even though this can’t be proven.

Common types of fallacy that may compromise the quality of your research are: By attacking the concept of slippery slope arguments you can show that they are often fallacious.Ī fallacy is a mistaken belief, particularly one based on unsound arguments or one that lacks the evidence to support it. In these instances, use an example that demonstrates the problem with slippery slope arguments in general (e.g., by using statements to reach a conclusion that is not necessarily relevant to the initial statement).

Sometimes people commit a slippery slope fallacy unintentionally.Every proposition has to be true for the overall argument to work, so even if one link is irrational or not supported by evidence, then the argument collapses. Ask yourself if each link in the chain of events or action is valid.You can point out these missing steps and ask your partner to indicate what evidence exists to support the claimed relationship between two or more events. Slippery slope arguments take advantage of the gray area between an initial action or decision and the possible next steps that might lead to the undesirable outcome.There are a number of ways you can deal with slippery slope arguments especially when you suspect these are fallacious: In other words, begging the question is about drawing a conclusion based on an assumption, while a complex question involves asking a question that presupposes the answer to a prior question. For example: “God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because it is the word of God.” In other words, the conclusion is used to support the premises, and the premises prove the validity of the conclusion. Begging the question fallacy occurs when we assume the very thing as a premise that we’re trying to prove in our conclusion.For example, asking someone “Have you stopped cheating on tests?”, unless it has previously been established that the person is indeed cheating on tests, is a fallacy. A complex question fallacy occurs when someone asks a question that presupposes the answer to another question that has not been established or accepted by the other person.

However, there is a difference between them: The complex question fallacy and begging the question fallacy are similar in that they are both based on assumptions.

Turnitin teacher login