Reading: Advanced Textual Analysis
C1 Lesson 2: Identifying Logical Fallacies and Weaknesses in Arguments
Detecting Flaws in Arguments
A truly critical reader doesn't just evaluate the evidence in an argument; they also analyze the logic of the reasoning itself. Sometimes, an argument may seem convincing, but it is actually built on a mistake in reasoning. These mistakes are called Logical Fallacies1.
Learning to identify common logical fallacies is like having a superpower. It allows you to see the weaknesses in an argument that others might miss. Today, we will learn to spot four common fallacies.
Common Logical Fallacies
1. Ad Hominem (Personal Attack)
The Flaw: Instead of attacking the opponent's argument or idea, the person attacks the opponent themselves (their character, their background, their motives).
Example: "Ms. Davy has proposed a plan to create a new public park. But she only moved to our town six years ago, so what does she really know about what's best for our community?"
Analysis: This is an ad hominem2 attack. It ignores the actual plan for the park and instead attacks Ms. Davy for being a relative newcomer. The argument is weak because where a person is from has no logical connection to the quality of their ideas.
2. The Straw Man Fallacy
The Flaw: Misrepresenting, simplifying, or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack. You aren't arguing against their real position, but a weaker, "straw man" version you created.
Example:
Politician A: "We should modestly increase the budget for environmental protection."
Politician B: "So, my opponent wants to bankrupt our economy and destroy all industry just to protect a few trees? This radical agenda is unacceptable!"
Analysis: Politician B uses a straw man3. Politician A suggested a "modest increase," but Politician B exaggerates this into a "radical agenda" to "destroy all industry," which is a much easier position to argue against.
3. The False Dilemma (Either/Or Fallacy)
The Flaw: Presenting a complex issue as if there are only two possible choices, when in fact there are other alternatives.
Example: "When it comes to the future of our town's riverfront, we have only two choices: either we build a massive, modern hotel complex, or we accept economic stagnation and poverty."
Analysis: This is a false dilemma4. It ignores many other possibilities, such as developing small-scale guesthouses, creating a public park, improving existing structures, or a mix of different strategies. It tries to force you into an extreme choice.
4. The Hasty Generalization
The Flaw: Drawing a broad conclusion based on very little, insufficient, or anecdotal evidence.
Example: "I tried one durian from a stall at the market and I didn't like it. Clearly, all durian in Kampot is overrated and not delicious."
Analysis: This is a hasty generalization5. The experience with one single durian is not enough evidence to make a valid conclusion about all durian in an entire province.
Your Turn! Spot the Fallacy.
Practice Quiz
Read the argument and identify the logical fallacy.
1. "My teacher says I need to study more, but why should I listen to her? She doesn't even know how to use TikTok properly."
This argument uses which fallacy?
- A. Straw Man
- B. Ad Hominem
- C. False Dilemma
Answer: B. Ad Hominem. The argument attacks the teacher's unrelated tech skills instead of addressing the actual issue of studying.
2. "We can either approve the new factory project immediately, or we can watch as every young person in our town moves away to find work, leaving us with a ghost town."
This argument uses which fallacy?
- A. Hasty Generalization
- B. Ad Hominem
- C. False Dilemma
Answer: C. False Dilemma. It presents only two extreme outcomes (approve the factory vs. total economic collapse) and ignores other possibilities.
Vocabulary Glossary
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Logical Fallacy (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ភាពខុសឆ្គងតក្កវិជ្ជា
An error or mistake in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or logically unsound. ↩ back to text -
Ad Hominem (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការវាយប្រហារបុគ្គល
A fallacy that attacks the person making an argument instead of the substance of the argument itself. ↩ back to text -
Straw Man (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការបំភាន់នៃការបំភាន់ ឬបំផ្លើសទីតាំងរបស់គូប្រជែង ដើម្បីធ្វើឱ្យវាកាន់តែងាយស្រួលក្នុងការវាយប្រហារ។क
A fallacy of misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's position to make it easier to attack. ↩ back to text -
False Dilemma (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការជ្រើសរើសខុស
A fallacy that incorrectly presents an issue as having only two possible options, when more exist. ↩ back to text -
Hasty Generalization (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការសង្ខេបខ្លីពេក
A fallacy of drawing a broad conclusion from insufficient, weak, or anecdotal evidence. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Be a Fallacy Detective!
Watch a political debate or read the comments section on a controversial news article online. These places are often full of logical fallacies.
- Find one clear example of a logical fallacy from the lesson.
- Write down the quote.
- Identify the fallacy by name (e.g., Ad Hominem) and briefly explain why it is a fallacy.