BiasList.com

An extensive list of cognitive biases and logical fallacies

Showing all 916 entries

Bias or fallacy name Also known as Description Reference Added Updated ID
a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 735_lf
a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid accident, a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid A fallacy in which "an acceptable exception is ignored".  A form of: secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter [32] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 779_lf
a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do a person's got to do what a person's got to do, a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do, I've got to do what I've got to do This fallacy draws a conclusion based on (potentially prejudiced identity or gender-based) feelings or emotion not necessarily having a foundation in logical reasoning (e.g., it is possible that they do not really have to arrive at that outcome).  A form of the affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 693_lf
a person's got to do what a person's got to do a person's got to do what a person's got to do, a man's got to do what a man's got to do, a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do, I've got to do what I've got to do This fallacy draws a conclusion based on (potentially prejudiced identity or gender-based) feelings or emotion not necessarily having a foundation in logical reasoning (e.g., it is possible that they do not really have to arrive at that outcome).  A form of the affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-14 2024-07-02 910_lf
a priori argument A given pre-conceived conclusion is determined from the start, then any argument is sought to support it.  Reasoning "from what is before" without observation or experience. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-12 494_lf
a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do a person's got to do what a person's got to do, a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do, I've got to do what I've got to do This fallacy draws a conclusion based on (potentially prejudiced identity or gender-based) feelings or emotion not necessarily having a foundation in logical reasoning (e.g., it is possible that they do not really have to arrive at that outcome).  A form of the affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-14 2024-07-02 911_lf
ableism con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, shearing the sheeple, profiteering, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-12 040_lf
accident accident, a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid A fallacy in which "an acceptable exception is ignored".  A form of: secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter. [32] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 761_lf
accomplish the mission by any means necessary, find a way, I don't care how you do it, just do it An argumentum ad baculum (argument from force) that implies arriving at an outcome by setting aside morality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-29 694_lf
acquiescence better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, this is the only possible world, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 695_lf
action bias A tendency to act even when there is no problem or when no action would be more effective for the given problem. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-13 098_cb
actions have consequences An incorrect assertion (based on some kind of rules) that a punishment for an occurrance is instead a consequence." A corrupt argument from ethos."  (Procedures invoked by a third party may result in eventual punishment, but that outcome is not accurately a direct or necessary consequence of the initial event.)  See also: blaming the victim.  Opposite of: moral licensing. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 041_lf
actor-observer bias A tendency for the description of an actor's behavior to over-emphasize the observer's personality (while under-emphasizing the actor's scenario).  Also, the opposite--a tendency for an actor's description of their own behavior to have the reverse pattern: over-emphasizing their own scenario while under-emphasizing the effect of their own personality. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-13 099_cb
ad Hitleram reductio ad Hitlerum An example of ad hominem or guilt by association that invokes a specific extreme persona from history. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-13 696_lf
ad hominem argument ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 495_lf
additive bias A tendency to solve problems by adding things (for example, instead of by removing things). [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-13 100_cb
affective fallacy affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 373_lf
affordable units fallacy A mistaken belief that "building luxury apartments doesn't improve the affordabilty of existing apartments, or even that it increases their prices".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-10-28 850_lf
after this therefore because of this after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [1], [2], [4] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 790_lf
agent detection bias A tendency to assume that an actor is intentionally intervening in a scenario. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-13 101_cb
all or nothing thinking bifurcation, black/white fallacy, black and white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 374_lf
all's fair in love and war changing the rules, moving the goalposts, nuclear option, winning isn't everything it's the only thing Starting with certain requirements for a decision, then, when, the criteria are met, requiring a higher bar.  "A fallacy of logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 496_lf
alpha-male speech locker-room talk, bad-boy talk A form of "frank, unguarded or uninhibited offensive expression".  A fallacy that holds that some words are excempt from criticism because they are simply the true expression of some perspective having merit due to their representing the uncensored expression of true feelings.  See also: venting.  See also: affective fallacy.  Opposite to this are political correctness and scripted message. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 497_lf
alphabet soup The use of jargon such as acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations consisting of letters (and possibly numbers) to impress, to build rapport, to confuse, or to obfuscate, ultimately resulting in loss of communication regarding what is being said or why an argument would be valid, and instead relying on potentially invalid shortcuts to reach a conclusion.  See also: name calling. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 045_lf
alt facts alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 375_lf
alternate facts alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 376_lf
alternative truth alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 046_lf
ambiguity effect A tendency to avoid options with outcomes that have unknown probabilities. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 102_cb
American exceptionalism appeal to heaven, argumentum ad coelum, Deus vult, Gott mit uns, manifest destiny, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 377_lf
amphiboly Literally, "indeterminate".  A fallacy in which a conclusion relies on interpreting a sentence to mean one thing, when the inclusion of that sentence as a premise was intended to mean something else.  Possible because some sentences can be read multiple ways with different meanings depending on word usage.  A fallacy of ambiguity.  Compare with: equivocation. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 024_lf
an abundance of caution an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 697_lf
analysis paralysis analysis paralysis, nirvana fallacy, paralysis of analysis, procrastination An argument that since all data is never available, therefore no decision can ever be made and action should always be delayed.  A "corruption of...argument from logos".  See also: law of unintended consequences. [3] 2024-08-28 2024-08-28 729_lf
anchoring bias focalism A tendency to rely too much on one particular thing (often the first available thing) when considering a decision.  See also: common source bias, conservatism bias, functional fixedness, law of the instrument. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 103_cb
and you too and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 536_lf
angelism A fallacy of "falsely claiming that one is capable of objective reasoning and judgment without emotion".  In other words, "falsely claiming for oneself a viewpoint of...disinterested objectivity or pretending to place onself far above all...bias."  Related to affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 043_lf
anthropic bias anthropic bias, anthropic principle, anthropic selection effect, observation selection effect The tendency for observations about the universe to only be made when there is someone to observe the data or to do the study.  Subforms include: weak anthropic principle (universe fine tuning being the result of survivorship bias), strong anthropic principle (the universe being compleled to have conscious, sapient life), participatory anthropic principle (the universe must be observed to exist), final anthropic principle (informational processing as inherent to universe existence).  An example of: selection effect. [19], [20] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 069_
anthropic principle anthropic bias, anthropic principle, anthropic selection effect, observation selection effect The tendency for observations about the universe to only be made when there is someone to observe the data or to do the study.  Subforms include: weak anthropic principle (universe fine tuning being the result of survivorship bias), strong anthropic principle (the universe being compleled to have conscious, sapient life), participatory anthropic principle (the universe must be observed to exist), final anthropic principle (informational processing as inherent to universe existence).  An example of: selection effect. [19], [20] 2024-06-12 2024-07-07 507_
anthropic selection effect anthropic bias, anthropic principle, anthropic selection effect Any bias introduced by the fact of observing from the perspective of an intelligence that has come into existence (for example, ruling out observations that hypothetically might occur but would not be observable by people).  Not simply the bias of having only observed some things (e.g., observation selection effects), but the bias only having the opportunity to possibly observe some things by the very nature of the observer's existence itself. [19] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 514_cb
anthropocentric thinking A tendency to use analogies about humans when describing other systems.  An availability bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 104_cb
anthropomorphism A tendency to describe non-human things as having human traits.  An availability bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 105_cb
apathetic fallacy burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism The fallacy in which legitimate arguments are ignored due claimed lack of caring. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-15 498_lf
apophenia A "tendency to perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 107_cb
appeal to a lack of evidence appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam A fallacy using lack of knowledge to arrive at a conclusion.  One might might say that because a claim cannot be disproven, therefore the opposite must be true.  Or, since we do not know (or cannot know, or cannot prove) something, then it must be true (or false).  A fallacy of omission.  Includes attacking the evidence, whataboutism, and missing link.  See also: a priori argument, appealing to closure, deliberate ignorance, simpleton's fallacy, argumentum ex silentio. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 031_lf
appeal to authority argument from modesty, appeal to authority, appeal to improper authority, argumentum ad verecundium, argument from that which is improper A fallacy of not "evaluating the...argument on its own merits" and instead simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but whose expertise is unrelated to the argument. A specific form of appeal to improper authority. A subcategory is appeal to biased authority. A fallacy of relevance. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 378_lf
appeal to biased authority A fallacy of simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but "who may have professional or personal motivations that render his professional judgement suspect". A specific form of appeal to improper authority. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 038_lf
appeal to closure See also Appeal to a Lack of Evidence, Argument From Adverse Consequences.  Opposite of Paralysis of Analysis. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 047_lf
appeal to emotion affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 007_lf
appeal to fear appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 698_lf
appeal to force appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 001_lf
appeal to heaven American exceptionalism, argumentum ad coelum, Deus vult, Gott mit uns, manifest destiny, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 048_lf
appeal to hypocrisy and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 033_lf
appeal to ignorance appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam A fallacy using lack of knowledge to arrive at a conclusion.  One might might say that because a claim cannot be disproven, therefore the opposite must be true.  Or, since we do not know (or cannot know, or cannot prove) something, then it must be true (or false).  A fallacy of omission.  Includes attacking the evidence, whataboutism, and missing link.  See also: a priori argument, appealing to closure, deliberate ignorance, simpleton's fallacy, argumentum ex silentio. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 379_lf
appeal to improper authority argument from modesty, appeal to authority, appeal to improper authority, argumentum ad verecundium, argument from that which is improper A fallacy of not "evaluating the...argument on its own merits" and instead simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but whose expertise is unrelated to the argument. A specific form of appeal to improper authority. A subcategory is appeal to biased authority. A fallacy of relevance. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 006_lf
appeal to nature appeal to nature, biologizing, green fallacy A fallacy that just because something is natural, therefore "it has to be good, healthy, and beneficial".  A "contemporary romantic fallacy of ethos". See also: argument from natural law. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-23 049_lf
appeal to novelty appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias A fallacy that a view or other thing must be correct or better because it is new or recent. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 051_lf
appeal to pity affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 050_lf
appeal to popular opinion argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 380_lf
appeal to privacy appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 699_lf
appeal to rigor A fallacy arguing based on mercilessness (showing no fear or pity).  "Often based on machismo or on manipulating an audience's fear."  Can apply to "politically-motivated or elitist calls for academic rigor".  Can apply to criticism of developmental or remedial classes, open admissions, dumbing down, and grade inflation.  Opposite of: affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 500_lf
appeal to tradition appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 005_lf
appeasement appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease A fallacy of obtaining a result not through argument but through the audience's willingness to give in so that the opposition will simply be satisfied, quieter, or no longer a nuisance.  Common in public agencies, education, and retail.  Sometimes promoted as a practical, nonviolent way for groups to promote change.  See also: bribery. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 052_lf
arguing beside the point arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion A fallacy of switching attention to a different issue (which might be a valid issue but is unrelated to the topic at hand).  A component fallacy.  Similar to: begging the question.  A common form: the red herring.  Another example: tu quoque, and you too. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 381_lf
arguing in bad faith arguing in bad faith, mala fides, sophism A fallacy of putting forth an argument that the argue knows is invalid.  Includes: motivational truth, demagogy, campaign promises, self deception, whistling by the graveyward. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 700_lf
argument from adverse consequences argument from adverse consequences, argument from consequences, outcome bias A fallacy of claiming that something cannot be true because, if it were true, that would be bad or have a negative effect (while in reality the validity of the claim does not actually depend on the positive or negative impact of the claims).  A fallacy of relevance.  (See also: outcome bias.  Do not confuse with: actions have consequences. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-28 008_lf
argument from common sense argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 383_lf
argument from consequences argument from adverse consequences, argument from consequences, outcome bias A fallacy of claiming that something cannot be true because, if it were true, that would be bad or have a negative effect (while in reality the validity of the claim does not actually depend on the positive or negative impact of the claims).  A fallacy of relevance.  (See also: outcome bias.  Do not confuse with: actions have consequences. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-28 053_lf
argument from force appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [1]. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 701_lf
argument from ignorance appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam A fallacy using lack of knowledge to arrive at a conclusion.  One might might say that because a claim cannot be disproven, therefore the opposite must be true.  Or, since we do not know (or cannot know, or cannot prove) something, then it must be true (or false).  A fallacy of omission.  Includes attacking the evidence, whataboutism, and missing link.  See also: a priori argument, appealing to closure, deliberate ignorance, simpleton's fallacy, argumentum ex silentio. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 384_lf
argument from incredulity argument from incredulity, argument from personal incredulity A fallacy of asserting that an argument must not be true just because one personally does not understand it or cannot grasp its technical aspects. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-28 385_lf
argument from inertia argument from inertia, stay the course A believe that "it is necessary to continue on a mistaken course of action regardless of pain and sacrifice involved and even after discovering it is mistaken, because changing course would mean admitting that one's decision (or one's leader, or one's country, or one's faith) was wrong, and all one's effort, expense, sacrifice and even bloodshed was for nothing, and that's unthinkable".  A form of: argument from consequences, E for effort, or appeal to tradition.  See also: throwing good money after bad. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 057_lf
argument from modesty argument from modesty, appeal to authority, appeal to improper authority, argumentum ad verecundium, argument from that which is improper A fallacy of not "evaluating the...argument on its own merits" and instead simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but whose expertise is unrelated to the argument. A specific form of appeal to improper authority. A subcategory is appeal to biased authority. A fallacy of relevance. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 386_lf
argument from motives argument from motives, questioning motives A fallacy of claiming a point to be false simply on account of improper or evil motives of the person making the claim.  See also: moral licensing. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-28 501_lf
argument from mystery argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy A fallacy in which some "facts, evidence, practices or arguments" gain weight due to a "quasi-hypnotic effect" that "can often persuade more strongly than any logical argument" derived from special sounds, postures, clothing, rituals, recitations, chants, ancient languages, or other effects introducing a sense of the unknown.  Example: long ago and far away.  See also: esoteric knowledge.  An obverse: standard version fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 387_lf
argument from natural law A fallacy in which something is deemed to be true or untrue, or good or bad, as a result of being natural or unnatural (or "against nature") as judged by one's own authority to determine what is natural or unnatural. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 502_lf
argument from personal incredulity argument from incredulity, argument from personal incredulity A fallacy of asserting that an argument must not be true just because one personally does not understand it or cannot grasp its technical aspects.  A fallacy of relevance. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-28 009_lf
argument from pity affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 388_lf
argument from silence argument from silence, argumentum ex silentio A fallacy in which it is claimed that, just because the currently available knowledge or evidence cannot prove anything about a claim, therefore this in itself proves that status of the claim as true or false (whereas, really, additional evidence or facts could be sought). [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 389_lf
argument from strength appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 702_lf
argument from that which is improper argument from modesty, appeal to authority, appeal to improper authority, argumentum ad verecundium, argument from that which is improper A fallacy of not "evaluating the...argument on its own merits" and instead simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but whose expertise is unrelated to the argument. A specific form of appeal to improper authority. A subcategory is appeal to biased authority. A fallacy of relevance. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 390_lf
argument from the club (stick) appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 391_lf
argument from the negative argumentum ad ignorantiam Often interchangeable with Argumentum Ad ignorantiam.  A fallacy of omission. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 030_lf
argument to the people argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 392_lf
argument toward the man ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 393_lf
argumentum ad antiquitatem appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 394_lf
argumentum ad baculum appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 059_lf
argumentum ad coelum American exceptionalism, appeal to heaven, Deus vult, Gott mit uns, manifest destiny, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 395_lf
argumentum ad hominem ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 396_lf
argumentum ad ignorantiam appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam A fallacy using lack of knowledge to arrive at a conclusion.  One might might say that because a claim cannot be disproven, therefore the opposite must be true.  Or, since we do not know (or cannot know, or cannot prove) something, then it must be true (or false).  A fallacy of omission.  Includes attacking the evidence, whataboutism, and missing link.  See also: a priori argument, appealing to closure, deliberate ignorance, simpleton's fallacy, argumentum ex silentio. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 397_lf
argumentum ad misericordiam affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 398_lf
argumentum ad mysteriam argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy A fallacy in which some "facts, evidence, practices or arguments" gain weight due to a "quasi-hypnotic effect" that "can often persuade more strongly than any logical argument" derived from special sounds, postures, clothing, rituals, recitations, chants, ancient languages, or other effects introducing a sense of the unknown.  Example: long ago and far away.  See also: esoteric knowledge.  An obverse: standard version fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 060_lf
argumentum ad odium See also: argumentum ad personam, ad hominem. [15] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 382_lf
argumentum ad personam Often, synonymous with argumentum ad hominem (arguing against a person holding a claim instead of arguing against the claim itself).Sometimes, "appealing to the personal interests of someone in order persuade someone to accept an argumentative claim" ("rather than directing an argument towards the issue at hand").See also: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, poisoning the well. [8], [9], [11], [15] 2024-06-14 2024-07-02 914_lf
argumentum ad populum argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 003_lf
argumentum ad traditionem appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 399_lf
argumentum ad verecundium argument from modesty, appeal to authority, appeal to improper authority, argumentum ad verecundium, argument from that which is improper A fallacy of not "evaluating the...argument on its own merits" and instead simply accepting the conclusion of an individual who may be an expert in a field but whose expertise is unrelated to the argument. A specific form of appeal to improper authority. A subcategory is appeal to biased authority. A fallacy of relevance. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 400_lf
argumentum ex silentio argument from silence A fallacy in which it is claimed that, just because the currently available knowledge or evidence cannot prove anything about a claim, therefore this in itself proves that status of the claim as true or false (whereas, really, additional evidence or facts could be sought). [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 061_lf
assertiveness appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease A fallacy of obtaining a result not through argument but through the audience's willingness to give in so that the opposition will simply be satisfied, quieter, or no longer a nuisance.  Common in public agencies, education, and retail.  Sometimes promoted as a practical, nonviolent way for groups to promote change.  See also: bribery. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 401_lf
association fallacy A cognitive bias and formal logical fallacy in which it is asserted that "properties of one thing must also be properties of another thing, if both things belong to the same group".   A social bias.  Includes: authority bias, cheerleader effect, halo effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 108_cb_lf
assumed similarity bias A cognitive bias in which one "assumes that others have more traits in common with them than those others actually do".  A social bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 109_cb
attacking the evidence attacking the evidence, missing link fallacy, whataboutery, whataboutism Incorrectly claiming that "some or all of the key evidence is missing, incomplete, or faked"; or, asking "what about" some false assertion about the veracity or completeness of the evidence or claim presented.  See also: appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 054_lf
attacking the person ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 402_lf
attention bias attentional bias A tendency for perception to be influenced by thought repetition.  See also: anchoring bias, availability bias, availability heuristic, focalism. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 110_cb
attentional bias attention bias A tendency for perception to be influenced by thought repetition.  See also: anchoring bias, availability bias, availability heuristic, focalism. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 403_lf
attribute substitution A cognitive bias in which "a judgment has to be made (of a target attribute) that is computationally complex, and instead a more easily calculated heuristic attribute is substituted" in which the substitution is thought to take place automatically instead of with self-awarene reflection. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 111_cb
attribution error attribution error, fundamental attribution error, self justification A tendency to assume that others' (poor) behavior results from character defects (personality) while under-emphasizing the influence of the situation on others' behavior, while, at the same time, one's own behavior is held to be due to environmental factors (situtation).  A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Obverse is: self debasement, self deprecation.  See also: group attribution error, ultimate attribution error. [3], [6] 2024-06-12 2024-07-10 705_lf
authority bias A tendency to "attribute greater accuracy to the opinion of an authority figure (unrelated to its content) and be more influenced by that opinion".  A social bias.  A form of association fallacy. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 112_cb
autist's fallacy autist's fallacy, mind blindness A fallacy in which normal human capacity for "theory of mind" is entirely denied in which it is held that no one can truly understand or know "another's thoughts, emotions, motivations or intents".  The opposite of: mind-reading. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 503_lf
automation bias A bias in which ones depends too much on automated systems that "can lead to erroneous automated information overriding correct decisions". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 113_cb
availability bias availability bias, availability heuristic Related: hyperbole, magnification, catastrophizing.  See also: anchoring bias, attention bias, attentional bias, availability bias, focalism. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 062_lf
availability bias availability bias, availability heuristic A cognitive bias in which one has a greater chance of "recalling recent, nearby, or otherwise immediately available examples", and the assigning of "importance to those examples" over others.  Also, "the natural tendency to give undue attention and importance to information that is immediately available at hand, particularly the first or last information received".  A fallacy of logos.  A memory bias.  Related: hyperbole, magnification, catastrophizing.  See also: anchoring bias, attention bias, attentional bias, focalism.  [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 114_cb
availability cascade A cognitive bias consisting of "a self-reinforcing process in which a collective belief gains more and more plausibility through its increasing repetition in public discourse".  A conformity bias.  A social bias.  See also: availability heuristic. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 115_cb
availability heuristic availability bias, availability heuristic A cognitive bias in which one has a greater chance of "recalling recent, nearby, or otherwise immediately available examples", and the assigning of "importance to those examples" over others.  Also, "the natural tendency to give undue attention and importance to information that is immediately available at hand, particularly the first or last information received".  A fallacy of logos.  A memory bias.  Related: hyperbole, magnification, catastrophizing.  See also: anchoring bias, attention bias, attentional bias, focalism.  [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 116_cb
Baader–Meinhof phenomenon Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, frequency illusion A cognitive bias in which "once something has been noticed, then every instance of that thing is noticed, leading to the belief it has a high frequency of occurrence". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 117_cb
back in those good times appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 404_lf
backfire effect A cognitive bias in which one strengthens a prior (e.g., current) belief when coming across evidence to the contrary. (The "disconfirming evidence" has the opposite of its logical effect on the belief-holder.)  A form of confirmation bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 118_cb
bad old days appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias A fallacy that a view or other thing must be correct or better because it is new or recent. 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 405_lf
bad-boy talk alpha-male talk, locker-room talk A form of "frank, unguarded or uninhibited offensive expression".  A fallacy that holds that some words are excempt from criticism because they are simply the true expression of some perspective having merit due to their representing the uncensored expression of true feelings.  See also: venting.  See also: affective fallacy.  Opposite to this are political correctness and scripted message. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 504_lf
bandwagon argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 706_lf
bandwagon effect A cognitive bias in which people tend "do (or believe) things because many other people do (or believe) the same".  See also: groupthink and herd behavior as concepts in social psychology. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 119_cb
bandwagon fallacy argument from common sense, argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, appeal to popular opinion, bandwagon, bandwagon fallacy A fallacy claiming that something is true because it is believed by most people (or by "everyone," "the people," "the majority" or "someone in power who has widespread backing").  A fallacy of relevance.  Sub-approaches can include bandwagon ("everyone's doing it"); patriotic ("it is patriotic"); snob "the best people are doing it"; and covering oneself with the cross ("it's Christian").  Can include: lying with statistics.  A modern form is: information cascade. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 406_lf
Barnum effect Barnum effect, Forer effect A tendency "for individuals to give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored specifically for them, but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 120_cb
base rate fallacy base rate fallacy, base rate neglect A tendency "to ignore general information and focus on information only pertaining to the specific case, even when the general information is more important".  A form of extension neglect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 121_cb
base rate neglect base rate fallacy, base rate neglect A "tendency to ignore general information and focus on information only pertaining to the specific case, even when the general information is more important".  A form of extension neglect. [6] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 686_cb
be grateful for what you've got be grateful for what you've got, worst negates the bad A fallacy in which it is claimed that "an objectively bad situation somehow isn't so bad simply because it could have been far worse, or because someone, somewhere has it even worse". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 707_lf
be-verb fallacy A fallacy holding that "an extraordinary degree of clarity, sanity, or textual liveliness can be reached by...eliminating all passive verb forms and all forms of the verb 'to be' from English-language writing."  A "cultish linguistic theory".  An obverse of: passive voice fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 505_lf
begging the question begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 010_lf
belief bias An "effect where someone's evaluation of the logical strength of an argument is biased by the believability of the conclusion".  Categorized as a truth judgement bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 122_cb
Ben Franklin effect An bias in which "a person who has performed a favor for someone is more likely to do another favor for that person than they would be if they had received a favor from that person".  Bias category: cognitive dissonance. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 123_cb
Berkson's paradox A "tendency to misinterpret statistical experiments involving conditional probabilities".  Categorized as a cognitive bias and a logical fallacy. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 124_cb_lf
better safe than sorry an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 709_lf
better the devil you know than the devil you don't acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 710_lf
better to prevent than to lament an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 711_lf
better-than-average effect better-than-average effect, illusory superiority, Lake Wobegon effect, superiority bias A "tendency to overestimate one's desirable qualities, and underestimate undesirable qualities, relative to other people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 125_cb
bias blind spot A "tendency to see oneself as less biased than other people, or to be able to identify more cognitive biases in others than in oneself."  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 126_cb
bifurcation all or nothing thinking, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 407_lf
big brain little brain big brain little brain, führerprinzip, mad leader disease A fallacy in which a person in a leadership or authority position (a work boss, military commander, or some sort of religious, cult, or group leader) tells people to think not with their little brains (the brain in their head) but instead with their big brain (the leader's brain).  An "extreme example of the blind loyalty fallacy".  Sometimes expressed positively in that the leader takes (moral) responsibilty for decisions.  The opposite is: plausible deniability.  See also: just do it, gaslighting. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 063_lf
big but fallacy big but fallacy, special pleading A fallacy of stating "a generally-accepted principle and then directly negating it with a 'but'.  Often detailed as a special case "supposedly exempt from the usual rules of law, logic, morality, ethics or even credibility".  Closely related to: contradictory premises.  A component fallacy. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 506_lf
big lie technique big lie technique, bold faced lie, staying on message A fallacy of "repeating a lie, fallacy, slogan, talking-point, nonsense-statement or deceptive half-truth over and over in different forms (particularly in the media) until it becomes part of daily discourse and people accept it without further proof or evidence".  Notably, "the bolder and more outlandish the big lie becomes the more credible it seems".  See also: alphabet soup, alternative truth; bandwagon fallacy, propaganda, straw man. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 065_lf
biologizing appeal to nature, biologizing, green fallacy A fallacy that just because something is natural, therefore "it has to be good, healthy, and beneficial".  A "contemporary romantic fallacy of ethos". See also: argument from natural law. 2024-06-11 2024-06-23 408_lf
bizarreness effect A bias in which "bizarre material is better remembered than common material".  A form of memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 127_cb
black and white fallacy all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 409_lf
black/white fallacy all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 410_lf
blamecasting blamecasting, scapegoating A fallacy in which there is always someone else to blame than oneself when anything goes wrong.  For scapegoating, the blamed entity is typically "other" or marginalized in some way already. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 713_lf
blaming the victim A fallacy in which one "casts the blame for one's own evil or questionable actions on those affected". A form of: scapegoating, blamecasting.  See also: affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 508_lf
bleeding heart bleeding heart, drama queen or drama king fallacy, pathetic fallacy, playing on emotion, sob story A fallacy in which, ignoring facts, emotion is evoked alone.  A fallacy "of pure argument from pathos".  The opposite is: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism.  An obverse is: refinement, real feelings.  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 714_lf
blind loyalty blind loyalty, blind obedience, Nuremberg defense, team player appeal, unthinking obedience A fallacy which holds that "an argument or action is right simply and solely because a respected leader or source (a President, expert, one's parents, one's own side, team or country, one's boss or commanding officers) says it is right".  A corrupted argument from ethos.  See also: big brain little brain fallacy, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 066_lf
blind obedience blind loyalty, blind obedience, Nuremberg defense, team player appeal, unthinking obedience A fallacy which holds that "an argument or action is right simply and solely because a respected leader or source (a President, expert, one's parents, one's own side, team or country, one's boss or commanding officers) says it is right".  A corrupted argument from ethos.  See also: big brain little brain fallacy, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 411_lf
blood is thicker than water blood is thicker than water, compadrismo, favoritism, for my friends anything Automatically regarding a claim or action as "true, correct, and above challenge" because "one is related to, knows and likes, or is on the same team or side, or belongs to the same religion, party, club or fraternity as the individual involved".   A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Reverse of: ad hominem. See also: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 067_lf
blood of the martyrs fallacy blood of the martyrs fallacy, waving the bloody shirt A fallacy holding that "a cause or argument, no matter how questionable or reprehensible, cannot be questioned without dishonoring the blood and sacrifice of those who died so nobly for that cause".  An extreme example of: E for effort, I'm trying by best, lost cause.  See also: appeal to pity, argument from inertia, cost bias, heroes all, sob story, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 509_lf
bogeyman fallacy appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 716_lf
bold faced lie big lie technique, bold faced lie, staying on message A fallacy of "repeating a lie, fallacy, slogan, talking-point, nonsense-statement or deceptive half-truth over and over in different forms (particularly in the media) until it becomes part of daily discourse and people accept it without further proof or evidence".  Notably, "the bolder and more outlandish the big lie becomes the more credible it seems".  See also: alphabet soup, alternative truth; bandwagon fallacy, propaganda, straw man. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 412_lf
boundary extension A tendency to remember an image's background as "larger or more expansive" compared with the foreground.  A memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 128_cb
brainwashing brainwashing, propaganda, radicalization The idea that "an enemy can instantly win over or radicalize an unsuspecting" individual with "vile but...persuasive propaganda" or by "beating an argument into" an a prisoner in coordination with techniques involving harsh treatment or drugs.  Generally used in the sense that only the other side can brainwash, while one's own side does not.  See also: bribery, love bombing, Stockholm syndrome. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 068_lf
brave heretic brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 718_lf
bribery bribery, financial incentive, material incentive, material persuasion A fallacy of obtaining a position through "gifts or favors".  Often does not stick unless bribes continue.  The reverse of: argumentum ad baculum, appeal to force, argument from the club (stick), argument from force, might-makes-right.  See also: appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 510_lf
broken windows policing broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 719_lf
build a wall build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 519_lf
bullying appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 720_lf
bureaucratic passive bureaucratic passive, passive voice fallacy An obverse is: be-verb fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 721_lf
burnout apathetic fallacy, compassion fatigue, cynicism The fallacy in which legitimate arguments are ignored due claimed lack of caring. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-15 722_lf
by any means necessary accomplish the mission, find a way, I don't care how you do it, just do it An argumentum ad baculum (argument from force) that implies arriving at an outcome by setting aside morality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-29 723_lf
calling "cards" A fallacy of "arbitrarily and falsely dismissing familiar or easily-anticipated but valid, reasoned objections to one's standpoint with a wave of the hand", as though such objections were mere "cards" in some sort of "game" of rhetoric.  A fallacy of logos.  See also: taboo, political correctness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 511_lf
camel's nose fallacy camel's nose fallacy, domino theory, slippery slope A fallacy holding that "one thing inevitably leads to another" when this is not necessarily the case.  A non sequitur. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 413_lf
campaign promises campaign promises, demagogy, motivational truth A fallacy of "deliberately lying to the people to gain their support or motivate" some action desired by the promoter of the lie.  Related: self deception, whistling by the graveyard.  See also: argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, dog-whistle politics, othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 512_lf
card stacking card stacking, half truth, incomplete information, stacking the deck A fallacy of ignoring examples or evidence that disprove one's point and instead only listing examples or sharing evidence which would support one's point.  A fallacy of omission.  A "corrupt argument from logos".  Different from: straw man.  See also: confirmation bias, hasty generalization. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 414_lf
catch 22 begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 415_lf
changing the rules all's fair in love and war, moving the goalposts, nuclear option, winning isn't everything it's the only thing Starting with certain requirements for a decision, then, when, the criteria are met, requiring a higher bar.  "A fallacy of logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 513_lf
cheerleader effect A tendency " for people to appear more attractive in a group than in isolation".  A social bias.  A form of association fallacy. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 129_cb
childhood amnesia The tendency to retain few memories from before the age of four.  A memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 130_cb
choice-support bias choice-support bias, choice-supportive bias, defensiveness, myside bias A fallacy and bias in which "after one has taken a given decision, commitment or course of action, one automatically tends to defend that decision and to irrationally dismiss opposing options even when one's decision later on proves to be shaky or wrong".  A "fallacy of ethos (one's own)".  See also argument from inertia, confirmation bias. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 416_cb_lf
choice-supportive bias choice-support bias, choice-supportive bias, defensiveness, myside bias A fallacy in which "after one has taken a given decision, commitment or course of action, one automatically tends to defend that decision and to irrationally dismiss opposing options even when one's decision later on proves to be shaky or wrong".  A "fallacy of ethos (one's own)".  See also argument from inertia, confirmation bias. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 131_cb
chosen emotion fallacy A fallacy in which "one falsely claims complete, or at least reliable prior voluntary control over one's own  autonomic, gut level affective reactions".  Related to but distinct from: angelism.  Opposite to: affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy.  See also: mortification. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 044_lf
chronological snobbery A tendency to consider something (like an idea or argument) from an earlier time as less valid than newer concept on the (not necessarliy true) basis that people in the past were less intelligent.  A from of appeal to novelty. [6], [18] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 132_cb_lf
circular reasoning begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 011_lf
circulus in probando begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 417_lf
closed-mindedness closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 418_lf
clustering illusion after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 133_cb_lf
cognitive dissonance Theoretically, bias results when "people continually reduce their" "mental disturbance...when...beliefs and actions are inconsistent and contradictory..." "in order to align their cognitions (perceptions of the world) with their actions".  The concept is said to be comprised of 1) the bias of feeling one does not have baises, 2) the bias in which one feels better, smarter, or more moral than average, and 3) confirmation bias. [6], [17] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 134_cb
coincidental correlation coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect Claiming or establishing "a cause/effect relationship that does not exist".  A component fallacy.  Examples include: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 419_lf
common source bias A tendency "to combine or compare research studies from the same source, or from sources that use the same methodologies or data". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 135_cb
compadrismo compadrismo Automatically regarding a claim or action as "true, correct, and above challenge" because "one is related to, knows and likes, or is on the same team or side, or belongs to the same religion, party, club or fraternity as the individual involved".   A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Reverse of: ad hominem. See also: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 420_lf
compartmentalization compartmentalization, epistemically closed systems, two truths A position that "there exists one truth in one given environment (e.g., in science, work or school) and simultaneously a different, formally contradictory but equally true truth in a different epistemic system, context, environment, intended audience or discourse community (e.g., in one's religion or at home)".  A "fallacy of logos and ethos".  See also: alternative truth, disciplinary blinders. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 724_lf
compassion fade A tendency to "behave more compassionately towards a small number of identifiable victims than to a large number of anonymous ones".  A bias of extension neglect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 136_cb
compassion fatigue apathetic fallacy, burnout, cynicism The fallacy in which legitimate arguments are ignored due claimed lack of caring. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-15 725_lf
complex question complex question, loaded question The phrasing of a question or statement to imply that an "unproven statement is true without evidence or discussion".  A "fallacy of omission".  Often overlaps with: begging the question. A counterpart of: either/or reasoning. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 032_lf
complexity complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness An arbitrary declaration tht "today's world is so complex that there is no truth" or that if truth does exist it is "unknowable excerpt perhaps by God".  Opposite of: executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 515_lf
composition A fallacy of ambiguity.  The opposite of divison. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 025_lf
con artist's fallacy con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 421_lf
con artist's fallacy con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, shearing the sheeple, profiteering, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 726_lf
confirmation bias homophily The cognitive bias and logical fallacy of a tendency to "search for, interpret, focus on and remember information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions".  Includes: backfire effect, congruence effect, experimenter's bias, expectation bias, observer-expectancy effect, selective perception, Semmelweis reflex.  See also: defensiveness, half truth. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 071_cb_lf
conformity A tendency to fit in regardless of logic.  Forms of conformity bias include: availabilty cascade, bandwagon effect, courtesy bias, groupthink, groupshift, social desirabiltyy bias, truth bias/ [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 138_cb
congruence bias A tendency "to test hypotheses exclusively through direct testing, instead of testing possible alternative hypotheses". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 139_cb
conjunction fallacy A tendency to "assume that specific conditions are more probable than a more general version of those same conditions". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 140_cb
conservatism bias conservatism bias, regressive bias As an anchoring cognitive bias, the tendency "to insufficiently revise one's belief when presented with new evidence".  As a memory cognitive bias, the tendency "to remember high values and high likelihoods/probabilities/frequencies as lower than they actually were and low ones as higher than they actually were" ("memories are not extreme enough") [in this sense also known as regressive bias]. See also, as a logical fallacy: conservative bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 141_cb
conservative bias appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 422_lf
conspiracy theories brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 727_lf
context effect The tendency for "out-of-context memories" to be "mopre difficult to retrieve than in-context memories".  A memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 142_cb
context neglect bias A tendency to "neglect the human context of technological challenges".  A framing effect bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 143_cb
continued influence effect A tendency for misinformation to "influence memory and reasoning about an event, despite the misinformation having been corrected".  See also: misinformation effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 144_cb
contradictory premises Closely related to Special Pleading. A component fallacy. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 021_lf
contrast effect The "enhancement or reduction of a certain stimulus's perception when compared with a recently observed, contrasting object".  An example of: framing effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 145_cb
control voice control voice, muscular foreign policy, no discussion, no negotiation, peace through strength The rejection of reasoned dialogue along with the offer of "either instant, unconditional compliance...or defeat as the only two options for settling even minor differences".  A from of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: pout. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 728_lf
converse accident a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 423_lf
corporate tax dodge callacy A mistaken belief that "corporations don't pay any tax".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 873_lf
correlation implies causation correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc Claiming that "because two things occurr at the same time, one has caused the other".  See also: coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 035_lf
cost bias A fallacy in which an expensive thing is regarded more highly than a free or inexpensive thing, "regardless of the item's real quality, utility, or true value to the purchaser".  "A fallacy of ethos (that of a product)." [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 072_lf
counterknowledge alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 424_lf
courtesy bias The tendency to "give an opinion that is more socially correct than one's true opinion, so as to avoid offending anyone".  An example of: conformity. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 146_cb
cross-race effect The tendency "for people of one race to have difficulty identifying members of a race other than their own".  An example of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 147_cb
crowdsourcing crowdsourcing, magic of the market, wisdom of the crowd, Wikipedia fallacy The idea that the market or the crowd is infallible, ignoring historical examples of the majority having been wrong about something. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 730_lf
cryptomnesia The tendency in which "a memory is mistaken for novel thought or imagination, because there is no subjective experience of it being a memory".  An example of: misattribution of memory. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 148_cb
cultural appropriation An argument in which "those who are not of the right identity are condemned" for adopting cultural elements of a maginalized group while "forgetting the old axiom that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".  See also: die away ye old forms and logic, identity fallacy, identity politics, othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 516_lf
cum hoc ergo propter hoc correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc Claiming that "because two things occurr at the same time, one has caused the other".  See also: coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 425_lf
current moment bias current moment bias, hyperbolic discounting, present bias A tendency "for people to have a stronger preference for more immediate payoffs relative to later payoffs". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 150_cb
curse of knowledge A tendency in whcih "better-informed people find it extremely difficult to think about problems from the perspective of lesser-informed people". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 149_cb
cursing cursing, F-bomb, obscenity, profanity An attempt to "defend or strengthen one's argument with gratuitous, unrelated sexual, obscene, vulgar, crude or profane language when such language does nothing to make an argument stronger, other than perhaps to create a sense of identity with certain...audiences".  A fallacy of pathos.  Related to: salacious fallacy.  See also: red herring. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 426_lf
cynicism apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue See also: pessimism bias. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-15 731_lf
dacoit's fallacy con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, shearing the sheeple, profiteering, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 732_lf
dacoits fallacy con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 427_lf
deal with it acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 733_lf
declinism A "predisposition to view the past favorably...and future negatively".  See also: rosy retrospection. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 152_cb
decoy effect A phenomenon in which "preferences for either option A or B change in favor of option B when option C is presented, which is completely dominated by option B (inferior in all respects) and partially dominated by option A".  An example of: framing effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 153_cb
default bias acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 073_lf
default effect A tendency "to favor the default option when given a choice between several options". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 154_cb
defensive attribution hypothesis A tendency to "attribute more blame to a harm-doer as the outcome becomes more severe or as personal or situational similarity to the victim increases". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 155_cb
defensiveness choice-support bias, choice-supportive bias, defensiveness, myside bias A fallacy and bias in which "after one has taken a given decision, commitment or course of action, one automatically tends to defend that decision and to irrationally dismiss opposing options even when one's decision later on proves to be shaky or wrong".  A "fallacy of ethos (one's own)".  See also argument from inertia, confirmation bias. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 074_lf
dehumanised perception dehumanised perception, dehumanization As a cognitive bias: a phenomenon of "not attributing feelings or thoughts to another person"; a form of: objectification.  As a logical fallacy: a "faulty analogy where opponents are dismissed as mere cockroaches, lice, apes, monkeys, rats, weasels or bloodsucking parasites who have no right to speak or to live at all, and probably should be squashed like bugs"; opposite of: Polyanna principle, projection bias, singing kumbay, they're just like us; see also: identity fallacy, name calling, olfactory rhetoric. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 151_cb
dehumanization dehumanised perception, dehumanization As a cognitive bias: a phenomenon of "not attributing feelings or thoughts to another person"; a form of: objectification.  As a logical fallacy: a "faulty analogy where opponents are dismissed as mere cockroaches, lice, apes, monkeys, rats, weasels or bloodsucking parasites who have no right to speak or to live at all, and probably should be squashed like bugs"; opposite of: Polyanna principle, projection bias, singing kumbay, they're just like us; see also: identity fallacy, name calling, olfactory rhetoric. [3], [6] 2024-06-12 2024-07-07 517_cb_lf
deliberate ignorance closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 075_lf
demagogy campaign promises, demagogy, motivational truth A fallacy of "deliberately lying to the people to gain their support or motivate" some action desired by the promoter of the lie.  Related: self deception, whistling by the graveyard.  See also: argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, dog-whistle politics, othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 518_lf
denomination effect A tendency "to spend more money when it is denominated in small amounts (e.g., coins) rather than large amounts (e.g., bills)".  An example of: framing effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 156_cb
denominational blinders The "arbitrarily ignoring or waving aside without serious consideration" of "any arguments or discussion about faith, morality, ethics, spirituality, the divine or the afterlife that come from outside one's own specific religious denomination or faith tradition".  See also: disciplinary blinders. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 520_lf
destroying the exception a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 533_lf
Deus vult American exceptionalism, appeal to heaven, argumentum ad coelum, Gott mit uns, manifest destiny, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 428_lf
devil quotes scripture devil quotes scripture, faulty use of quotes The use of quotations "out of context or against the clear intent of the original speaker or author".  See also: eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 734_lf
dicto simpliciter a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 429_lf
die away ye old forms and logic die away ye old forms and logic, identity fallacy, identity politics A scenario in which the "validity of one's logic, evidence, experience or arguments depends not on their own strength but rather on whether the one arguing is a member of a given social class, generation, nationality, religious or ethnic group, color, gender or sexual orientation, profession, occupation or subgroup".  See also: cultural appropriation. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 736_lf
differance difference, sui generis fallacy A rejection of "the validity of analogy and of inductive reasoning altogether" on the basis that " any given person, place, thing or idea under consideration is...different and unique, in a class unto itself".  Literally, "sui generis" means "of its own kind".  Opposite of: false analogy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 737_lf
diminished responsibility Taking a specific judicial concept, that people with impaired judgement can receive less criminal punishment, and applying it to other general situations, thus arguing that one's impairment somehow ought to lessen the impact of their action or inaction in that scenario.  Based on "the confusion of consequences with punishment".  See also: panic, venting. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 521_lf
disciplinary blinders See also Star Power, Two Truths. Analogous to Denominational Blinders. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 076_lf
discredit by association guilt by association A fallacy of trying to argue against a point by "evoking the negative ethos" (the negative charcteristics) of the associations of the opponent (e.g., by way of their professional or social relationships, political party, religion, ethnicity, or other group or institutional memberhip).  An extreme case is: for my enemies nothing. 2024-06-16 2024-06-21 915_lf
disinformation alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 430_lf
disposition effect A tendency "sell an asset that has accumulated in value and resist selling an asset that has declined in value". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 157_cb
disproportionate response broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 738_lf
distinction bias A tendency to "view two options as more dissimilar when evaluating them simultaneously than when evaluating them separately".  An example of: framing effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 158_cb
distraction distraction, red herring An attempt to change the subject or redirect argument from the issue at hand.  A form of: arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion.  Examples include: appeal to emotion, irrelevant conclusion, personal attack, straw man. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 739_lf
division A fallacy of ambiguity.  The opposite of composition. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 026_lf
dog-whistle politics The use of a brief and popular phrase or slogan to reflexively send an audience into a frenzy, such that "any reasoned attempt to more clearly identify, deconstruct, or challenge" the opponent's usage of the inciting phrase results in confusion, irrationality, wildness, or anger.  This means that "instead of addressing, refuting, or...listening to each other's arguments", an unreasoned exchange occurs.  A form of: reductionism, sloganeering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 522_lf
dogmatism dogmatism, taboo dogmatism, taboo [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 740_lf
domain neglect bias A trendency "neglect relevant domain knowledge while solving interdisciplinary problems".  An example of: framing effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 159_cb
domino theory camel's nose fallacy, domino theory, slippery slope A fallacy holding that "one thing inevitably leads to another" when this is not necessarily the case.  A non sequitur.  A component fallacy. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 741_lf
drama queen or drama king fallacy bleeding heart, drama queen or drama king fallacy, pathetic fallacy, playing on emotion, sob story A fallacy in which, ignoring facts, emotion is evoked alone.  A fallacy "of pure argument from pathos".  The opposite is: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism.  An obverse is: refinement, real feelings.  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 743_lf
draw your own conclusion fallacy draw your own conclusion fallacy, let the facts speak for themselves, non-argument argument A fallacy in which carefully selected (and perhaps shocking) facts are presented to an audience that is then asked immediately to come to their own conclusions, while people are more convinced when drawing a conclusion themselves rather than being presented with both an argument and the proposed conclusion together, and while the appropriate question would be "what has been allegedly proven and how?".  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: leading the witness fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 078_lf
dread aversion The tendency for dread to "double the emotional impact of savouring". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 160_cb
Dunning-Kruger effect A cognitive bias and logical fallacy in which "people of limited skills or knowledge mistakenly believe their abilities are greater than they actually are".  Clarifying notes: "Dunning and Kruger themselves never claimed to show that the unskilled think they're better than the skilled."  "Also, there is a positive correlation between actual performance and perceived performance." [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 079_cb_lf
duration neglect The "neglect of the duration of an episode in determining its value". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 162_cb
dynamic inconsistency dynamic inconsistency, time inconsistency A scenario in which "a decision-maker's preferences change over time in such a way that a preference can become inconsistent at another point in time".  See also: current moment bias, hyperbiolic discounting, present bias [6], [21] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 163_cb
E for effort E for effort, noble effort, I'm trying my best, lost cause The idea that something must be good or true because someone has put a lot of good-faith effort or sacrifice into it.  A "fallacy6 of ethos".  An example is: waving the bloody shirt, the blood of the martyrs fallacy.  See also:  argument from inertia, cost bias, solider's honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 080_lf
early adopter's fallacy appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias A fallacy that a view or other thing must be correct or better because it is new or recent. 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 431_lf
effort justification A tendency to "attribute greater value to an outcome if they had to put effort into achieving it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 164_cb
ego quoque ego quoque, I do it too, nos quoque, we do it too The attempted justification (or minimization of criticism) of some position or action on the basis that oneself or one's own group has also done the same thing.  See also: and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 448_lf
egocentric bias A "tendency to rely too heavily on one's own perspective and/or have a different perception of oneself relative to others". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 165_cb
either or fallacy all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 018_lf
either/or reasoning all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 524_lf
eminence-based practice eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-21 744_lf
emotion over reflection affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 432_lf
emotional invalidation A fallacy of "questioning, after the fact, the reality or validity of affective [emotional] states, either another's or one's own".  An example of: gaslighting. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 092_lf
emotional reasoning emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 745_lf
end-of-history illusion A an "age-independent" tendency to "believe that one will change less in the future than one has in the past". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 166_cb
endowment effect A tendency "for people to demand much more to give up an object than they would be willing to pay to acquire it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 167_cb
epistemically closed systems compartmentalization, epistemically closed systems, two truths A position that "there exists one truth in one given environment (e.g., in science, work or school) and simultaneously a different, formally contradictory but equally true truth in a different epistemic system, context, environment, intended audience or discourse community (e.g., in one's religion or at home)".  A "fallacy of logos and ethos".  See also: alternative truth, disciplinary blinders. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 746_lf
equivocation A fallacy of ambiguity. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 023_lf
equivocation A fallacy of "knowingly and deliberately using words in a different sense than the one the audience will understand" or "deliberately failing to define one's terms" or for "the same term...using differing meanings" or "using a word in a different way than the author used it in the original premise" or "changing definitions halfway through a discussion".  A fallacy of ambiguity.  Compare with: amphiboly. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 037_lf
escalation of commitment escalation of commitment, irrational escalation, sunk cost fallacy A tendency in which "people justify increased investment in a decision, based on the cumulative prior investment, despite new evidence suggesting that the decision was probably wrong". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 168_cb
eschatological fallacy A fallacy that argues that "the world is coming to an end" so therefore some position is reasonable. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 081_lf
esoteric knowledge esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 082_lf
esoteric wisdom esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 433_lf
essentializing A fallacy of treating a thing such that it is and can only ever be that which it is said to be at its core.  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: relativizing. See also: red herring, Appeal to Nature. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 083_lf
etymological fallacy etymological fallacy, underlying meaning A fallacy of "drawing false conclusions from the...linguistic origins of a current word" or the "alleged meanings or associations of that word in another langauge".  "A fallacy of logos."" [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 084_lf
euphoric recall A tendency to "remember past experiences in a positive light, while overlooking negative experiences associated with that even".  A type of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 169_cb
even one is too many broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 747_lf
evening up the score evening up the score, getting even An argument for inflicting punishment on a false premise of life being a sporting event based on keeping track of scores.  See also: hey sports fans, moving the baall down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 527_lf
every revolution ends up eating its own young every revolution ends up eating its own young, grit, law of unintended consequences, resilience doctrine An argument that, since it is impossible to know everything or to forsee anything, then unknown unknowns will always blindside and overwhelm, so therefore one must be prepared to maintain strength, withstand, and to recover as a main means of survival. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 748_lf
everybody's a winner everybody's a winner, heroes all A fallacy holding that "everyone is above average or extraordinary".  Opposite is: all the king's men.  See also: hero-busting, identity fallacy, perfect is the enemy of good. 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 434_lf
exaggerated expectation A tendency to "expect or predict more extreme outcomes than those outcomes that actually happen". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 170_cb
excluded middle all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dichotomy, false dilemma If a little is good, then more must be better.  Or, if less is good, then none is better.  "A corrupted argument from logos".  One opposite is excluded outliers.  Another opposite is middle of the road fallacy (falacia ad temperantiam, the politics of the center, marginalization of the adversary).  A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-09-05 085_lf
excluded outliers The arbitrary discarding of evidence as "weird, outliers, or atypical" if it would disprove one's point.  Opposite of: excluded middle, falacia ad temperantiam, marginalization of the adversary, middle of the road fallacy, politics of the center. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 528_lf
executive summary executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacyThe favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 749_lf
exemplary punishment broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 750_lf
expect a miracle expect a miracle, magical thinking, sin of presumption An argument that when it really matters, one just has to pray or do the right rituals and then a miracle will occur.  A "fallacy... of logos".  See also: appeal to heaven, Job's comforter fallacy, positive thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 751_lf
expectation bias expectation bias, experimenter's bias A tendency "for experimenters to believe, certify, and publish data that agree with their expectations for the outcome of an experiment, and to disbelieve, discard, or downgrade the corresponding weightings for data that appear to conflict with those expectations".  An example of: confirmation bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 171_cb
experimenter's bias expectation bias, experimenter's bias A tendency "for experimenters to believe, certify, and publish data that agree with their expectations for the outcome of an experiment, and to disbelieve, discard, or downgrade the corresponding weightings for data that appear to conflict with those expectations".  An example of: confirmation bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 172_cb
extension neglect A senario in which "the quantity of the sample size is not sufficiently taken into consideration when assessing the outcome, relevance or judgement".  Examples include: base rate fallacy, compassion fade, conjunction fallacy, duration neglect, hyperbolic discounting, insensitivity to sample size, less-is-better effect, neglect of probability, scope insensitivity, scope neglect, zero-risk bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 173_cb
extrinsic incentives bias A scenario in which "people view others as having (situational) extrinsic motivations and (dispositional) intrinsic motivations for oneself".  An exception to: fundamental attribution error.  A form of: attribution bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 174_cb
F-bomb cursing, F-bomb, obscenity, profanity An attempt to "defend or strengthen one's argument with gratuitous, unrelated sexual, obscene, vulgar, crude or profane language when such language does nothing to make an argument stronger, other than perhaps to create a sense of identity with certain...audiences".  A fallacy of pathos.  Related to: salacious fallacy.  See also: red herring. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 086_lf
fable fable, narrative fallacy, poster child Wrapping a message in a "heartwarming or horrifying story or fable" is more persusasive than more formal or direct argument, even if the story is fictional. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 752_lf
fading affect bias A tendency in which "the emotion associated with unpleasant memories fades more quickly than the emotion associated with positive events". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 175_cb
fair share fallacy A mistaken belief that "the rich pay no tax".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 872_lf
fait accompli fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 529_lf
fake news fake news, infotainment, infortainment, infowars The deliberate mixing of "facts, news, falsities and outright lies with entertainment".  See also: dog-whistle politics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 753_lf
falacia ad temperantiam falacia ad temperantiam, marginalization of the adversary, middle of the road fallacy, politics of the center An argument that a position is correct "not on its own merits" but "solely or mainly by presenting it as the only moderate path among two or more obviously unacceptable extreme alternatives". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 754_lf
falacia ad verbosium falacia ad verbosium, information bias, snow job An attempt to prove a claim by overwhelming an audience with "mountains of true but marginally-relevant documents, graphs, words, facts, numbers, information and statistics s that look extremely impressive but which the...audience cannot be expected to understand or evaluate properly."   A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: plain truth fallacy.  See also: lying with statistics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 755_lf
falacia ad verecundiam eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-21 756_lf
fallacy of misplaced concreteness fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 435_lf
fallacy of reification fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 027_lf
fallacy of speculation fallacy of speculation, mind-reading, I can read you like a book A fallacy in which one claims to cleary understand another's thoughts, emotions, motivations, and body language based on mere speculation, at times claiming to understanding these things better than the subject himself.  This speculative "knowledge" can be used in an attempt to incorrectly the support other claims.  An ancient fallacy.  A corruption of stasis theory (agreeing to disagree).  The opposite of: autist's fallacy, mind blindness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 757_lf
false analogy Opposite of Sui Generis Fallacy, Difference. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 087_lf
false balance false balance, false equivalence, teach the controversy, two-sides fallacy Presenting an issue in such a way that makes it seem as though there are "two sides of equal weight or significance, when in fact a consensus or much stronger argument supports just one side". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 631_lf
false binary all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 436_lf
false cause coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect Claiming or establishing "a cause/effect relationship that does not exist".  A component fallacy.  Examples include: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 013_lf
false cause and effect coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect Claiming or establishing "a cause/effect relationship that does not exist".  A component fallacy.  Examples include: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 320_lf
false consensus effect A tendency to "overestimate the degree to which others agree with them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 176_cb
false dichotomy all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 437_lf
false dilemma all or nothing thinking, bifurcation, black and white fallacy, black/white fallacy, either or fallacy, either/or reasoning, excluded middle, false binary, false dilemma A conclusion is reached based on there only being two possible options, when really the possibilities are not so limited.  A component fallacy. 2024-06-11 2024-06-14 438_lf
false equivalence false balance, false equivalence, teach the controversy, two-sides fallacy Presenting an issue in such a way that makes it seem as though there are "two sides of equal weight or significance, when in fact a consensus or much stronger argument supports just one side". [3] 2024-08-28 2024-08-28 036_lf
false memory A scenarion in which "imagination is mistaken for a memory".  A form of: misattribution of memory. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 177_cb
false priors A scenarion in which "initial beliefs and knowledge ... interfere with the unbiased evaluation of factual evidence and lead to incorrect conclusions".  Examples include: agent detection bias, automation bias, gender bias, sexual overperception bias, stereotyping. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 178_cb
false uniqueness bias A tendency people have to "see their projects and themselves as more singular than they actually are".  A form of: egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 179_cb
familiarity principle familiarity principle, mere exposure principle A tendency to "express undue liking for things merely because of familiarity with them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 180_cb
fascism appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 758_lf
faulty analogy A component fallacy. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 019_lf
faulty use of authority eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-21 759_lf
faulty use of quotes devil quotes scripture, faulty use of quotes The use of quotations "out of context or against the clear intent of the original speaker or author".  See also: eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 531_lf
favoritism blood is thicker than water, compadrismo, favoritism, for my friends anything Automatically regarding a claim or action as "true, correct, and above challenge" because "one is related to, knows and likes, or is on the same team or side, or belongs to the same religion, party, club or fraternity as the individual involved".   A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Reverse of: ad hominem. See also: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 439_lf
financial incentive bribery, financial incentive, material incentive, material persuasion A fallacy of obtaining a position through "gifts or favors".  Often does not stick unless bribes continue.  The reverse of: argumentum ad baculum, appeal to force, argument from the club (stick), argument from force, might-makes-right.  See also: appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 760_lf
find a way accomplish the mission, by any means necessary, just do it, I don't care how you do it An argumentum ad baculum (argument from force) that implies arriving at an outcome by setting aside morality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-29 909_lf
finish the job Related to Just a Job. See also Blind Loyalty, Soldiers Honor Fallacy, Argument from Inertia. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 088_lf
fixed pie fallacy A mistaken belief that "there is a fixed pie of wealth, and every winner creates a loser".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 831_lf
focalism A tendency to rely too much on one particular thing (often the first available thing) when considering a decision.  See also: common source bias, conservatism bias, functional fixedness, law of the instrument.  See also: anchoring bias, attention bias, attentional bias, availability bias, availability heuristic. [6] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 903_cb
follow your heart affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 440_lf
for my enemies nothing Holding that one's "real or perceived enemies are by definition always wrong and must be conceded nothing".  An example of: guilt by association. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 532_lf
for my friends anything blood is thicker than water, compadrismo, favoritism, for my friends anything Automatically regarding a claim or action as "true, correct, and above challenge" because "one is related to, knows and likes, or is on the same team or side, or belongs to the same religion, party, club or fraternity as the individual involved".   A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Reverse of: ad hominem. See also: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 441_lf
Fordism Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity The inappropriate application "the norms and requirements of standardized manufacturing. quality control and rigid scheduling, or of military discipline to inherently diverse free human beings, their lives, education, behavior, clothing and appearance". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 680_lf
Forer effect Barnum effect, Forer effect A tendency "for individuals to give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored specifically for them, but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 181_cb
form function attribution bias A tendnecy of people "to make systematic errors when interacting with a robot""based on its appearance (form)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 182_cb
framing effect The tendency to "draw different conclusions from the same information, depending on how that information is presented".  Examples include: contrast effect, decoy effect, default effect, denomination effect, distinction bias, domain neglect bias, context neglect bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 183_cb
free speech fallacy An example is the Safe Space or Safe Place. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 089_lf
frequency illusion Baader–Meinhof phenomenon, frequency illusion A cognitive bias in which "once something has been noticed, then every instance of that thing is noticed, leading to the belief it has a high frequency of occurrence". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 184_cb
functional fixedness A tendenency "limiting a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 185_cb
fundamental attribution error attribution error, fundamental attribution error, self justification A tendency to assume that others' (poor) behavior results from character defects (personality) while under-emphasizing the influence of the situation on others' behavior, while, at the same time, one's own behavior is held to be due to environmental factors (situtation).  A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Obverse is: self debasement, self deprecation.  See also: group attribution error, ultimate attribution error. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 090_cb_lf
fundamental pain bias A tendency "for people to believe they accurately report their own pain levels while holding the paradoxical belief that others exaggerate it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 187_cb
führerprinzip big brain little brain, führerprinzip, mad leader disease A fallacy in which a person in a leadership or authority position (a work boss, military commander, or some sort of religious, cult, or group leader) tells people to think not with their little brains (the brain in their head) but instead with their big brain (the leader's brain).  An "extreme example of the blind loyalty fallacy".  Sometimes expressed positively in that the leader takes (moral) responsibilty for decisions.  The opposite is: plausible deniability.  See also: just do it, gaslighting. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 442_lf
G. I. Joe fallacy A tendency to "think that knowing about cognitive bias is enough to overcome it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 188_cb
G.E. Moore's naturalistic fallacy G.E. Moore's naturalistic fallacy, naturalistic fallacy A fallacy of inferring "that X is good from any proposition about X’s natural properties".  Different than: "argument from nature", "the appeal to nature". [25] 2024-07-11 2024-08-28 883_lf
gambler's fallacy A tendency to "think that future probabilities are altered by past events, when in reality they are unchanged". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 189_cb
gaslighting A fallacy of "denying or invalidating a person's own knowledge and experiences by deliberately twisting or distorting known facts, memories, scenes, events and evidence in order to disorient a vulnerable opponent and to make him or her doubt his/her sanity".  An example is: emotional invalidation. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 091_lf
gender bias A "set of implicit biases that discriminate against a gender".  Examples: "the assumption that women are less suited to jobs requiring high intellectual ability" and "the assumption that people or animals are male in the absence of any indicators of gender". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 190_cb
gender differences in eyewitness memory A tendency "for a witness to remember more details about someone of the same gender".  A memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 191_cb
generation effect generation effect, self-generation effect A tendnecy in which "self-generated information is remembered best". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 192_cb
genetic fallacy A fallacy of claiming something as untrustworthy due to its "racial, geographic, or ethnic origin".  A fallacy of relevance.  Related to ad hominem, personal attack. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 004_lf
get over it fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 534_lf
get used to it acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 762_lf
getting even evening up the score, getting even An argument for inflicting punishment on a false premise of life being a sporting event based on keeping track of scores.  See also: hey sports fans, moving the baall down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 763_lf
Gitmo solution build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 681_lf
gnosticism esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 443_lf
golden age fallacy A mistaken belief that people "should strive to return to" a "perfect time in history" that existed.  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 874_lf
good old days appeal to tradition, argumentum ad traditionem, argumentum ad antiquitatem, back in those good times, conservative bias, good old days A fallacy of holding a position as correct or a thing (scenario or deed) as good because it has always been that way or was that way long ago (and might still "serve one particular group very well").  A fallacy of relevance.  A "corrupted argument from ethos" (from the past).  Often related in time to the audience's young years, but not prior.  Opposite of: appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 444_lf
good simpleton good simpleton, simpleton's fallacy A claim that uninformed perspectives are equally as valid as fully informed perspectives.  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: argument from ignorance, just plain folks, plain truth fallacy, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 764_lf
Google effect A tendency to "forget information that can be found readily online by using Internet search engines".  A memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 194_cb
Gott mit uns American exceptionalism, appeal to heaven, argumentum ad coelum, Deus vult, manifest destiny, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 445_lf
greedflation fallacy A mistaken belief that "corporate greed causes inflation".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-06-11 2024-07-15 213_lf
green fallacy appeal to nature, biologizing, green fallacy A fallacy that just because something is natural, therefore "it has to be good, healthy, and beneficial".  A "contemporary romantic fallacy of ethos". See also: argument from natural law. 2024-06-11 2024-06-23 446_lf
grit every revolution ends up eating its own young, grit, law of unintended consequences, resilience doctrine An argument that, since it is impossible to know everything or to forsee anything, then unknown unknowns will always blindside and overwhelm, so therefore one must be prepared to maintain strength, withstand, and to recover as a main means of survival. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 765_lf
group attribution error A tendency to believe that "the characteristics of an individual group member are reflective of the group as a whole" or to "assume that group decision outcomes reflect the preferences of group members" "even when information is available that clearly suggests otherwise".  Example of: attribution bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 195_cb
group-serving bias group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 196_cb
groupshift A tendency "for decisions to be more risk-seeking or risk-averse than the group as a whole, if the group is already biased in that direction".  Example of: conformity. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 197_cb
groupthink A tendency in which "the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome" as people "try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints by actively suppressing dissenting viewpoints, and by isolating themselves from outside influences".  Example of: conformity. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 198_cb
guilt by association discredit by association A fallacy of trying to argue against a point by "evoking the negative ethos" (the negative charcteristics) of the associations of the opponent (e.g., by way of their professional or social relationships, political party, religion, ethnicity, or other group or institutional memberhip).  An extreme case is: for my enemies nothing. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-16 093_lf
half truth card stacking, half truth, incomplete information, stacking the deck A fallacy of ignoring examples or evidence that disprove one's point and instead only listing examples or sharing evidence which would support one's point.  A fallacy of omission.  A "corrupt argument from logos".  Different from: straw man.  See also: confirmation bias, hasty generalization. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 447_lf
halo effect A social bias.  A form of association fallacy. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 199_cb
hard power appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 766_lf
hard–easy effect A tendency "to overestimate one's ability to accomplish hard tasks, and underestimate one's ability to accomplish easy tasks".  Category of bias: self-assessment. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 200_cb
hasty conclusion hasty conclusions, where there's smoke there's fire Arriving at a snap conculsion without sufficient supporting evidence.  Opposite of: paralysis of analysis.  See also: jumping to conclusions. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 767_lf
hasty generalization a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 012_lf
hear no evil see no evil speak no evil closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 768_lf
heart of darkness syndrome heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas A fallacy holding that "one may freely commit immoral, selfish, negative or evil acts at will without expecting any of the normal consequences or punishment" "just because nobody important is looking (or because one is on vacation, or away in college, or overseas)".  A counterpart to: appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 769_lf
hedonic recall bias A tendency "for people who are satisfied with their wage to overestimate how much they earn, and vice versa, for people who are unsatisfied with their wage to underestimate it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 201_cb
hedonism The seeking and valuing of "physical pleasure as a good in itself, simply for it own sake".  Opposite of: live as though you're dying, mortification, no pain no gain, pleasure-hating. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 535_lf
herd behavior A tendency of "individuals in a group acting collectively without centralized direction". [6], [24] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 202_cb
hero-busting hero-busting, perfect is the enemy of good, the perfect is the enemy of the good A fallacy of pointing out that nobody could have been a hero because "nobody and nothing in this world is perfect".  Examples: pointing out the faults of historic figures generally held to have been otherwise heroic in some way; reviewing everything a political opponent has ever done or said to find something to condemn or misinterpret.  A "postmodern fallacy of ethos".  Opposite of: hereoes all.  Can aid: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 094_lf
heroes all everybody's a winner, heroes all A fallacy holding that "everyone is above average or extraordinary".  Opposite is: all the king's men.  See also: hero-busting, identity fallacy, perfect is the enemy of good. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 096_lf
hey sports fans hey sports fans, moving the ball down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy The inappropriate application of sports analogy to other domains.  See also: evening up the score, getting even [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 537_lf
hindsight bias hindsight bias,  hindsight is 20/20 effect, I-knew-it-all-along effect A tendency to "see past events as having been predictable". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 203_cb
hindsight is 20/20 effect hindsight bias, hindsight is 20/20, I-knew-it-all-along effect A tendency to "see past events as having been predictable". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 205_cb
homophily confirmation bias, homophily The cognitive bias and logical fallacy of a tendency to "search for, interpret, focus on and remember information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions".  Includes: backfire effect, congruence effect, experimenter's bias, expectation bias, observer-expectancy effect, selective perception, Semmelweis reflex.  See also: defensiveness, half truth. [3], [6] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 770_lf
hostile attribution bias A tendency to "interpret others' behaviors as having hostile intent, even when the behavior is ambiguous or benign".  A form of: attribution bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 206_cb
hot hand hot hand, hot-hand fallacy, hot hand phenomenon A tendency to believe that "a person who has experienced success with a random event has a greater chance of further success in additional attempts". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 208_cb
hot hand phenomenon hot hand, hot-hand fallacy, hot hand phenomenon A tendency to believe that "a person who has experienced success with a random event has a greater chance of further success in additional attempts". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 209_cb
hot stove effect hot stove effect, once bitten twice shy, non-adaptive choice switching A tendency to "avoid the choice previously made when faced with the same decision problem again, even though the choice was optimal" after "experiencing a bad outcome with a decision problem". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 805_cb
hot-cold empathy gap A tendency to "underestimate the influence of visceral drives on one's attitudes, preferences, and behaviors".  Bias category: self-assessment. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 207_cb
hot-hand fallacy hot hand, hot-hand fallacy, hot hand phenomenon A tendency to believe that "a person who has experienced success with a random event has a greater chance of further success in additional attempts". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 210_cb
Hoyle's fallacy The false assumption that a low-probablility event could never have happened or will never happen.  An obverse: you can't win if you don't play, someone's going to win and it might as well be you. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 097_lf
humanitarian crisis humanitarian crisis, save the children fallacy Attracting public support for one side a distant crisis by invoking "in gross detail" the suffering of "the innocent, defenseless little children" while "conveniently ignoring the reality that innocent children on all sides usually suffer the most in any war, conflict, famine or crisis".  A "fallacy of pathos".  An example of: appeal to pity. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 771_lf
humor effect A tendency for "humorous items" to be "more easily remembered than non-humorous ones".  A form of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 211_cb
hyperbole An "immediate instance is immediately proclaimed the most significant in all of human history or the words in the whole world".  See also: anchoring bias, attention bias, availability bias, catastrophizing, magnification. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 538_lf
hyperbolic discounting current moment bias, hyperbolic discounting, present bias A tendency "for people to have a stronger preference for more immediate payoffs relative to later payoffs". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 212_cb
hypostatization fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation.  [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 539_lf
I can read you like a book fallacy of speculation, mind-reading, I can read you like a book A fallacy in which one claims to cleary understand another's thoughts, emotions, motivations, and body language based on mere speculation, at times claiming to understanding these things better than the subject himself.  This speculative "knowledge" can be used in an attempt to incorrectly the support other claims.  An ancient fallacy.  A corruption of stasis theory (agreeing to disagree).  The opposite of: autist's fallacy, mind blindness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 678_lf
I do it too ego quoque, I do it too, nos quoque, we do it too The attempted justification (or minimization of criticism) of some position or action on the basis that oneself or one's own group has also done the same thing.  See also: and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 682_lf
I don't care how you do it accomplish the mission, by any means necessary, find a way, just do it An argumentum ad baculum (argument from force) that implies arriving at an outcome by setting aside morality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-29 683_lf
I don't want to hear it closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 370_lf
I forgot judicial surprise, oh I forgot, I forgot, oops, October surprise Typically, an attempt to end a debate by pretending to have "just remembered or uncovered some salient fact, argument or evidence", or suddenly presenting some sensational information only to then quuietly admit its lack of direct relevance to the topic at hand.   A "corrupt argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 685_lf
I know my rights appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease A fallacy of obtaining a result not through argument but through the audience's willingness to give in so that the opposition will simply be satisfied, quieter, or no longer a nuisance.  Common in public agencies, education, and retail.  Sometimes promoted as a practical, nonviolent way for groups to promote change.  See also: bribery. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 449_lf
I think we're alone now heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas A fallacy holding that "one may freely commit immoral, selfish, negative or evil acts at will without expecting any of the normal consequences or punishment" "just because nobody important is looking (or because one is on vacation, or away in college, or overseas)".  A counterpart to: appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 687_lf
I wish I had a magic wand Falsely proclaiming oneself to be unfortunately "powerless to change a bad or objectionable situation" over which one actually does have power (for example, by ignoring various real possibilities).  See also: there is no alternative, TINA. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 492_lf
I'm trying my best E for effort, noble effort, I'm trying my best, lost cause The idea that something must be good or true because someone has put a lot of good-faith effort or sacrifice into it.  A "fallacy6 of ethos".  An example is: waving the bloody shirt, the blood of the martyrs fallacy.  See also:  argument from inertia, cost bias, solider's honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 688_lf
I've got to do what I've got to do a person's got to do what a person's got to do, a man's got to do what a man's got to do, I've got to do what I've got to do This fallacy draws a conclusion based on (potentially prejudiced identity or gender-based) feelings or emotion not necessarily having a foundation in logical reasoning (e.g., it is possible that they do not really have to arrive at that outcome).  A form of the affective fallacy. [3] 2024-06-14 2024-07-02 912_lf
I-knew-it-all-along effect hindsight bias, hindsight is 20/20, I-knew-it-all-along effect A tendency to "see past events as having been predictable". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 204_cb
iconoclastic fallacy brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 772_lf
identity fallacy die away ye old forms and logic, identity fallacy, identity politics A scenario in which the "validity of one's logic, evidence, experience or arguments depends not on their own strength but rather on whether the one arguing is a member of a given social class, generation, nationality, religious or ethnic group, color, gender or sexual orientation, profession, occupation or subgroup".  See also: cultural appropriation. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 540_lf
identity politics die away ye old forms and logic, identity fallacy, identity politics A scenario in which the "validity of one's logic, evidence, experience or arguments depends not on their own strength but rather on whether the one arguing is a member of a given social class, generation, nationality, religious or ethnic group, color, gender or sexual orientation, profession, occupation or subgroup".  See also: cultural appropriation. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 773_lf
if it ain't broke don't fix it acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 774_lf
ignorantio elenchi arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion A fallacy of switching attention to a different issue (which might be a valid issue but is unrelated to the topic at hand).  A component fallacy.  Similar to: begging the question.  A common form: the red herring.  Another example: tu quoque, and you too. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 450_lf
ignoring qualifications ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization Literally, "secundum quid" means "according to something", and "secundum quid et simpliciter" means "what is true in a certain respect and what is true absolutely".  A common type of "secundum quid" is: accident ("a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid"), in which a general rule is applied to an edge case that is actually an exception to the rule.  Another common type of "secundum quid" is: converse accident ("a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter"), in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  See also: a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 742_lf
ignoring the issue arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion A fallacy of switching attention to a different issue (which might be a valid issue but is unrelated to the topic at hand).  A component fallacy.  Similar to: begging the question.  A common form: the red herring.  Another example: tu quoque, and you too. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 451_lf
IKEA effect A tendency "for people to place a disproportionately high value on objects that they partially assembled themselves".  Ane xample of: effort justification.  Bias category: cognitive dissonance. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 214_cb
illusion of asymmetric insight A tendency to "perceive [that] their knowledge of their peers" exceeds "their peers' knowledge of them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 215_cb
illusion of control A tendency to "overestimate one's degree of influence over other external events". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 216_cb
illusion of explanatory depth A tendency to "believe that one understands a topic much better than one actually does". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 217_cb
illusion of transparency A tendency "to overestimate the degree to which their personal mental state is known by others, and to overestimate how well they understand others' personal mental states". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 218_cb
illusion of validity A tendency "to overestimate the accuracy of one's judgments, especially when available information is consistent or inter-correlated". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 219_cb
illusion-of-truth effect illusion-of-truth effect, illusory truth effect A tendency to "identify as true statements" ones that people "have previously heard (even if they cannot consciously remember having heard them), regardless of the actual validity of the statement." [6] 2024-08-21 2024-08-28 813_cb
illusory correlation A tendency to inaccurately see "a relationship between two events related by coincidence". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 220_cb
illusory superiority better-than-average effect, illusory superiority, Lake Wobegon effect, superiority bias A "tendency to overestimate one's desirable qualities, and underestimate undesirable qualities, relative to other people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 221_cb
illusory truth effect illusion-of-truth effect, illusory truth effect A tendency to "identify as true statements" ones that people "have previously heard (even if they cannot consciously remember having heard them), regardless of the actual validity of the statement." [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 222_cb
implicit association A tendency in which "the speed with which people can match words depends on how closely they are associated". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 223_cb
implicit bias implicit bias, unconscious bias A pheneomenon of "underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 356_cb
impostor syndrome A tendency in which "an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 224_cb
in-group bias group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 225_cb
in-group favoritism group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 186_cb
in-group preference group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-12 2024-07-10 717_cb
in-group-out-group bias group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-12 2024-07-10 715_cb
incomplete information card stacking, half truth, incomplete information, stacking the deck A fallacy of ignoring examples or evidence that disprove one's point and instead only listing examples or sharing evidence which would support one's point.  A fallacy of omission.  A "corrupt argument from logos".  Different from: straw man.  See also: confirmation bias, hasty generalization. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 775_lf
ineffability complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness An arbitrary declaration tht "today's world is so complex that there is no truth" or that if truth does exist it is "unknowable excerpt perhaps by God".  Opposite of: executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 541_lf
information bias As a cognitive bias, a tendency "to seek information even when it cannot affect action".  As a logical fallacy, an attempt to prove a claim by overwhelming an audience with "mountains of true but marginally-relevant documents, graphs, words, facts, numbers, information and statistics s that look extremely impressive but which the...audience cannot be expected to understand or evaluate properly."   A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: plain truth fallacy.  See also: lying with statistics. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 227_cb_lf
information cascade A fallacy in which one echoes others' opinions (often online), even when their own opinions or information exposure contradicts that position. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 542_lf
information pollution alt facts, alternate facts, alternative truth, counterknowledge, disinformation, information pollution A fallacy holding that objective facts and truth cannot really exist, are not durable, or are really subjective.  A "fallacy of logos rooted in postmodernism".  Related to: big lie technique.  See also: gaslighting, blind loyalty, big brain little brain fallacy, two truths. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 452_lf
infortainment fake news, infotainment, infortainment, infowars The deliberate mixing of "facts, news, falsities and outright lies with entertainment".  See also: dog-whistle politics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 776_lf
infotainment fake news, infotainment, infortainment, infowars The deliberate mixing of "facts, news, falsities and outright lies with entertainment".  See also: dog-whistle politics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 543_lf
infowars fake news, infotainment, infortainment, infowars The deliberate mixing of "facts, news, falsities and outright lies with entertainment".  See also: dog-whistle politics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 777_lf
ingroup bias A tendency "to give preferential treatment to others they perceive to be members of their own groups". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 226_cb
inner sanctum esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 453_lf
inner truth esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 454_lf
insensitivity to sample size A tendency "to under-expect variation in small samples". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 228_cb
intentionality bias A tendency to "judge human action to be intentional rather than accidental". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 229_cb
intergroup bias group-serving bias, intergroup bias, in-group bias, in-group favoritism, in-group-out-group bias, in-group preference A tendency to favor members of a social group to which one blogs over people who are not members of that social group. [6], [23] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 161_cb
interoceptive bias or hungry judge effect A tendency "for sensory input about the body itself to affect one's judgement about external, unrelated circumstances". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-21 230_cb
irrational escalation escalation of commitment, irrational escalation, sunk cost fallacy A tendency in which "people justify increased investment in a decision, based on the cumulative prior investment, despite new evidence suggesting that the decision was probably wrong". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 231_cb_lf
irrelevant conclusion arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion A fallacy of switching attention to a different issue (which might be a valid issue but is unrelated to the topic at hand).  A component fallacy.  Similar to: begging the question.  A common form: the red herring.  Another example: tu quoque, and you too. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 014_lf
it does not follow it does not follow, non sequitur An "argument that does not follow from the previous statements"; "using a premise to prove an unrelated point"; "conclusions that have no logical connection to the argument at hand".  Often, a writer may have left out a step of an argument they had in their head but did not put on paper.  While "applicable in general to any type of logical fallacy", often used by logicials specifically to reference "syllogistic errors such as the undistributed middle term, non causa pro causa, and ignorantio elenchi".  A component fallacy.  Common examples are: affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 455_lf
it is what it is acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 544_lf
Job's comforter fallacy Job's comforter fallacy, karma is a bi**h, what goes around comes around An argument that there is no random chance, and that one's own misfortunes must be punishment for sins or wickedness.  Opposite of: appeal to heaven.  See also: magical thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 493_lf
judenrein broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 778_lf
judicial surprise judicial surprise, oh I forgot, I forgot, oops, October surprise Typically, an attempt to end a debate by pretending to have "just remembered or uncovered some salient fact, argument or evidence", or suddenly presenting some sensational information only to then quuietly admit its lack of direct relevance to the topic at hand.   A "corrupt argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 875_lf
jumping to conclusions a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 456_lf
just a job The false justification that something is okay because it is "just a job" "like any other" that "they get paid to do".  See also: finish the job. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 545_lf
just do it accomplish the mission, by any means necessary, find a way, I don't care how you do it An argumentum ad baculum (argument from force) that implies arriving at an outcome by setting aside morality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-29 546_lf
just in case an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 780_lf
just plain folks just plain folks, values An argument that someone who speaks in simple terms and seems like a straight talker is necessarily worthy of being believed for that reason alone, especially in contrast with more sophisticated or fancier seeming speakers.   A "corrupt...argument from ethos".  See also: ad hominem fallacy, plain truth fallacy, simpleton's fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 547_lf
just-world hypothesis A tendency to "want to believe that the world is fundamentally just, causing them to rationalize an otherwise inexplicable injustice as deserved by the victim(s)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 232_cb
karma is a bi**h Job's comforter fallacy, karma is a bi**h, what goes around comes around An argument that there is no random chance, and that one's own misfortunes must be punishment for sins or wickedness.  Opposite of: appeal to heaven.  See also: magical thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 781_lf
keep it short and simple executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 782_lf
keep it simple stupid executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 783_lf
keeping up standards Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 784_lf
KISS principle executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 689_lf
lag effect A tendency in which "learning is greater when studying is spread out over time, as opposed to studying the same amount of time in a single session". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 233_cb
Lake Wobegon effect better-than-average effect, illusory superiority, Lake Wobegon effect, superiority bias A "tendency to overestimate one's desirable qualities, and underestimate undesirable qualities, relative to other people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 234_cb
language control The application of politically oriented language focused on not using particular terminology such as an opponents' own names for themselves (which, for instance, might make that subject more relatable and less of a dehumanized other).  See also: name calling, passive voice fallacy, political correctness, scripted message. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 548_lf
large-sample bias A tendency for a model based on large samples of data to under-represent, or not represent, valid and important components that only appeared in a small portion of the sampled data. 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 137_
law of the instrument A tendency toward "over-reliance on a familiar tool or methods, ignoring or under-valuing alternative approaches". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 235_cb
law of unintended consequences every revolution ends up eating its own young, grit, law of unintended consequences, resilience doctrine An argument that, since it is impossible to know everything or to forsee anything, then unknown unknowns will always blindside and overwhelm, so therefore one must be prepared to maintain strength, withstand, and to recover as a main means of survival. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 549_lf
leading the witness fallacy A fallacy in which "a sham, sarcastic or biased question is asked solely in order to evoke a desired answer".  See also: draw your own conclusion fallacy, let the facts speak for themselves, non-argument argument. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 550_lf
less-is-better effect A tendency to "prefer a smaller set to a larger set judged separately, but not jointly". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 236_cb
let it be let it be acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 787_lf
let the facts speak for themselves draw your own conclusion fallacy, let the facts speak for themselves, non-argument argument A fallacy in which carefully selected (and perhaps shocking) facts are presented to an audience that is then asked immediately to come to their own conclusions, while people are more convinced when drawing a conclusion themselves rather than being presented with both an argument and the proposed conclusion together, and while the appropriate question would be "what has been allegedly proven and how?".  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: leading the witness fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 457_lf
letting off steam letting off steam, loose lips, venting A claim that someone ought to be "excempt from criticism" becuase they were just venting, even though venting implies expression of their actual position on some matter.  Opposite of: political correctness, scripted message.  See also: affective fallacy, alpha-male speech,bad-boy talk, locker-room talk. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 789_lf
leveling and sharpening A tendency toward "memory distortions introduced by the loss of details in a recollection over time" as well as "sharpening or selective recollection of certain details that take on exaggerated significance in relation to the details or aspects of the experience lost through leveling". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 237_cb
levels-of-processing effect A tendency in which "different methods of encoding information into memory have different levels of effectiveness". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 238_cb
list-length effect A tendency in which "a smaller percentage of items are remembered in a longer list, but as the length of the list increases, the absolute number of items remembered increases as well". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 239_cb
live as though you're dying live as though you're dying, mortification, no pain no gain, pleasure-hating An attempt to gain positive benefit from extreme exercise, the infliction of pain, intentional starvation, or similar practices while denying that discomfort and pain are definite signals warning against bodily damage.  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: hedonism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 551_lf
loaded question complex question, loaded question The phrasing of a question or statement to imply that an "unproven statement is true without evidence or discussion".  A "fallacy of omission".  Often overlaps with: begging the question. A counterpart of: either/or reasoning. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 458_lf
lock em up and throw away the key build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 525_lf
locker-room talk alpha-male talk, bad-boy talk A form of "frank, unguarded or uninhibited offensive expression".  A fallacy that holds that some words are excempt from criticism because they are simply the true expression of some perspective having merit due to their representing the uncensored expression of true feelings.  See also: venting.  See also: affective fallacy.  Opposite to this are political correctness and scripted message. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 552_lf
long ago and far away A holding that "facts, evidence, practices or arguments from ancient times, distant lands and/or exotic cultures seem to acquire a special gravitas or ethos simply because of their antiquity, language or origin".  An example of: argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy.  See also: esoteric knowledge, standard version fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 553_lf
loose lips letting off steam, loose lips, venting A claim that someone ought to be "excempt from criticism" becuase they were just venting, even though venting implies expression of their actual position on some matter.  Opposite of: political correctness, scripted message.  See also: affective fallacy, alpha-male speech,bad-boy talk, locker-room talk. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 791_lf
loss aversion A tendency in which "the perceived disutility of giving up an object is greater than the utility associated with acquiring it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 241_cb
lost cause E for effort, noble effort, I'm trying my best, lost cause The idea that something must be good or true because someone has put a lot of good-faith effort or sacrifice into it.  A "fallacy6 of ethos".  An example is: waving the bloody shirt, the blood of the martyrs fallacy.  See also:  argument from inertia, cost bias, solider's honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 792_lf
love bombing The use of positive affirmations to gain favor, especially with the anticipation that continued affection will continue if the recipient agrees with something or takes some action. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 554_lf
love it or leave it fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 555_lf
lying with statistics The misuse of "true figures and numbers" to claim to prove "unrelated claims".  Examples include: tiny percentage fallacy.  See also: half-truth, red herring, snow job. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 556_lf
mad leader disease big brain little brain, führerprinzip, mad leader disease A fallacy in which a person in a leadership or authority position (a work boss, military commander, or some sort of religious, cult, or group leader) tells people to think not with their little brains (the brain in their head) but instead with their big brain (the leader's brain).  An "extreme example of the blind loyalty fallacy".  Sometimes expressed positively in that the leader takes (moral) responsibilty for decisions.  The opposite is: plausible deniability.  See also: just do it, gaslighting. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 459_lf
magic of the market crowdsourcing, magic of the market, wisdom of the crowd, Wikipedia fallacy The idea that the market or the crowd is infallible, ignoring historical examples of the majority having been wrong about something. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 793_lf
magical thinking expect a miracle, magical thinking, sin of presumption An argument that when it really matters, one just has to pray or do the right rituals and then a miracle will occur.  A "fallacy... of logos".  See also: appeal to heaven, Job's comforter fallacy, positive thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 557_lf
making one's peace with the situation acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 794_lf
mala fides arguing in bad faith, mala fides, sophism A fallacy of putting forth an argument that the argue knows is invalid.  Includes: motivational truth, demagogy, campaign promises, self deception, whistling by the graveyward. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 559_lf
manifest destiny American exceptionalism, appeal to heaven, argumentum ad coelum, Deus vult, Gott mit uns, special covenant A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 460_lf
mansplaining A tendency in which "many men to always have to be the smartest person in the room, regardless of the topic of discussion and how much they actually know".  A form of: explanation.  See also: plain truth fallacy, snow job. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 560_lf
marginalization of the adversary falacia ad temperantiam, marginalization of the adversary, middle of the road fallacy, politics of the center An argument that a position is correct "not on its own merits" but "solely or mainly by presenting it as the only moderate path among two or more obviously unacceptable extreme alternatives". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 796_lf
material incentive bribery, financial incentive, material incentive, material persuasion A fallacy of obtaining a position through "gifts or favors".  Often does not stick unless bribes continue.  The reverse of: argumentum ad baculum, appeal to force, argument from the club (stick), argument from force, might-makes-right.  See also: appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 797_lf
material persuasion bribery, financial incentive, material incentive, material persuasion A fallacy of obtaining a position through "gifts or favors".  Often does not stick unless bribes continue.  The reverse of: argumentum ad baculum, appeal to force, argument from the club (stick), argument from force, might-makes-right.  See also: appeasement, assertiveness, I know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 798_lf
measurability An argument that if something cannot "be measured, quantified and replicated" then "it does not exist", or that "anecdotal, touchy-feely stuff" is "unworthy of serious consideration" due to being mere gossip or subjective opinion.  "A corrupt argument from logos and ethos."  See also: a priori argument, complex question, lying with statistics, oversimplification procrustean fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 561_lf
memory bias A general category of "cognitive bias that either enhances or impairs the recall of a memory". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 242_cb
memory inhibition A tendency in which "being shown some items from a list makes it harder to retrieve the other items". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 243_cb
mere exposure effect familiarity principle, mere exposure principle A tendency to "express undue liking for things merely because of familiarity with them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-09 244_cb
mereological fallacy overgeneralization, totus pro partes, mereological fallacy Applying an agreed-upon generalization to "all particular cases".  A "fallacy of logos".  Literally, "totus pro partes" means "whole for parts", and refers to extrapolating from one or two example cases to a claim about all cases.  The term "mereological" refers to the study of the relationship between parts and a wholes.)  See also: hasty generalization, pars pro toto fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 799_lf
middle of the road fallacy falacia ad temperantiam, marginalization of the adversary, middle of the road fallacy, politics of the center An argument that a position is correct "not on its own merits" but "solely or mainly by presenting it as the only moderate path among two or more obviously unacceptable extreme alternatives". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 562_lf
might-makes-right appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 461_lf
mind blindness autist's fallacy, mind blindness A fallacy in which normal human capacity for "theory of mind" is entirely denied in which it is held that no one can truly understand or know "another's thoughts, emotions, motivations or intents".  The opposite of: mind-reading. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 564_lf
mind your own business appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 800_lf
mind-reading A fallacy in which one claims to cleary understand another's thoughts, emotions, motivations, and body language based on mere speculation, at times claiming to understanding these things better than the subject himself.  This speculative "knowledge" can be used in an attempt to incorrectly the support other claims.  An ancient fallacy.  A corruption of stasis theory (agreeing to disagree).  The opposite of: autist's fallacy, mind blindness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 566_lf
misattribution of memory A tendency for a person recalling a memory to misidentify the origin of the memory.  Examples include: cryptomnesia, false memory, social crytomnesia, source confusion, suggestibility, Perky effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 245_cb
misinformation effect The tendency for an "original memory" to be "affected by incorrect information received later" ("a person's recall of episodic memories becomes less accurate because of post-event information"). [6], [18] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 246_cb
missing link See also: appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam, argument from ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 056_lf
missing link fallacy attacking the evidence, missing link fallacy, whataboutery, whataboutism Incorrectly claiming that "some or all of the key evidence is missing, incomplete, or faked"; or, asking "what about" some false assertion about the veracity or completeness of the evidence or claim presented.  See also: appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 801_lf
mistaking the map for the territory fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 802_lf
modality effect A tendency in which "memory recall is higher for the last items of a list when the list items were received via speech than when they were received through writing".  A form of memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 247_cb
money illusion A tendency to "concentrate on the nominal value (face value) of money rather than its value in terms of purchasing power". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 248_cb
monocausal fallacy executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 803_lf
monolingual fallacy An incorrect assumption that "transparent, in-depth translation between languages is the norm", thus ignoring "everyday issues of translation".  See also: standard version fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 567_lf
mood-congruent memory bias mood-congruent memory bias, state-dependent memory A tendency in which "recall of information" is "congruent with one's current mood". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 249_cb
moral credential effect A tendency in which "someone who does something good" then "gives themselves permission to be less good in the future". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 251_cb
moral high ground moral high ground, moral superiority, self righteousness An argument that "evil has no rights" that must be respected by "the good and the righteous", in direct denial of the "golden rule".  See also: appeal to heaven, moving the goalposts. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 568_lf
moral licensing An argument that one's "consistently moral life, good behavior or recent extreme suffering or sacrifice earns him/her the right to commit an immoral act without repercussions, consequences or punishment".  Opposite of: scruples. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 569_lf
moral luck A tendency "to ascribe greater or lesser moral standing based on the outcome of an event". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 252_cb
moral superiority moral high ground, moral superiority, self righteousness An argument that "evil has no rights" that must be respected by "the good and the righteous", in direct denial of the "golden rule".  See also: appeal to heaven, moving the goalposts. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 570_lf
mortification live as though you're dying, mortification, no pain no gain, pleasure-hating An attempt to gain positive benefit from extreme exercise, the infliction of pain, intentional starvation, or similar practices while denying that discomfort and pain are definite signals warning against bodily damage.  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: hedonism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 571_lf
motivated ignorance closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 462_lf
motivational truth campaign promises, demagogy, motivational truth A fallacy of "deliberately lying to the people to gain their support or motivate" some action desired by the promoter of the lie.  Related: self deception, whistling by the graveyard.  See also: argument to the people, argumentum ad populum, dog-whistle politics, othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 572_lf
motte and bailey doctrine motte and bailey doctrine, motte and bailey fallacy A fallacy of conflating two similar positions, one easier to defend and one much more controversial and harder to defend, in which the arguer "advances the controversial position, but when challenged, insists that only the more modest position is being advanced", then claims that the more controversial position has not been refuted.  Ain informal fallacy. [5] 2024-06-11 2024-07-06 371_lf
motte and bailey fallacy motte and bailey doctrine, motte and bailey fallacy A fallacy of conflating two similar positions, one easier to defend and one much more controversial and harder to defend, in which the arguer "advances the controversial position, but when challenged, insists that only the more modest position is being advanced", then claims that the more controversial position has not been refuted.  Ain informal fallacy. [5] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 095_lf
moving the ball down the field hey sports fans, moving the ball down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy The inappropriate application of sports analogy to other domains.  See also: evening up the score, getting even. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 573_lf
moving the goalposts all's fair in love and war, changing the rules, nuclear option, winning isn't everything it's the only thing Starting with certain requirements for a decision, then, when, the criteria are met, requiring a higher bar.  "A fallacy of logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 574_lf
muscular foreign policy control voice, muscular foreign policy, no discussion, no negotiation, peace through strength The rejection of reasoned dialogue along with the offer of "either instant, unconditional compliance...or defeat as the only two options for settling even minor differences".  A from of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: pout. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 530_lf
muscular leadership appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 806_lf
MYOB appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 565_lf
myside bias choice-support bias, choice-supportive bias, defensiveness, myside bias A fallacy and bias in which "after one has taken a given decision, commitment or course of action, one automatically tends to defend that decision and to irrationally dismiss opposing options even when one's decision later on proves to be shaky or wrong".  A "fallacy of ethos (one's own)".  See also argument from inertia, confirmation bias. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-05 463_lf
mystagogy argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy A fallacy in which some "facts, evidence, practices or arguments" gain weight due to a "quasi-hypnotic effect" that "can often persuade more strongly than any logical argument" derived from special sounds, postures, clothing, rituals, recitations, chants, ancient languages, or other effects introducing a sense of the unknown.  Example: long ago and far away.  See also: esoteric knowledge.  An obverse: standard version fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 807_lf
naive cynicism A tendency to expect "more egocentric bias in others than in oneself". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 253_cb
naive realism A tendency to belive that "we see reality as it really is", "objectively and without bias", and "that rational people will agree with us, and that those who do not are either uninformed, lazy, irrational, or biased". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 254_cb
name calling The fallacy of applying a label to an arguer and assigning or implying a conclusion based on that applied label instead of evaluating or addressing the argument at hand.  A form of ad hominem.  A simplified from of argumentum ad personam. [8], [9], [11] 2024-06-14 2024-06-14 913_lf
name dropping name dropping, transfer The false association of "a famous or respected person, place or thing with an unrelated thesis or standpoint".  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  See also: star power. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 575_lf
name-calling An argument that simply because the proponent of a position is or is alleged to be problematic because of a label applied to them, then therefore any argument of theirs is invalid due to that label alone.  Instead exploring actual points, the application of a label ends or prevents any actual argument.  A form of: ad hominem.  An example is: newspeak.  See also: ad hominem argument, alphabet soup, reductionism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 576_lf
narrative fallacy fable, narrative fallacy, poster child Wrapping a message in a "heartwarming or horrifying story or fable" is more persusasive than more formal or direct argument, even if the story is fictional. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 577_lf
naturalistic fallacy G.E. Moore's naturalistic fallacy, naturalistic fallacy A fallacy of inferring "that X is good from any proposition about X’s natural properties".  Different than: "argument from nature", "the appeal to nature". [25] 2024-08-28 901_lf
need to know esoteric wisdom, gnosticism, inner truth, inner sanctum, need to know A fallacy holding that "there is some knowledge reserved only for the wise, the holy or the enlightened, (or those with proper security clearance), things that the masses cannot understand and do not deserve to know, at least not until they become wiser, more trusted or more spiritually advanced".  A "fallacy from logos and ethos".  A counterpart is: obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance.  See also: plain truth fallacy, argument from mystery, argumentum ad mysteriam, mystagogy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 464_lf
negativity bias negativity effect, negativity effect A tendency in which some people "have a greater recall of unpleasant memories compared with positive memories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 255_cb
negativity effect negativity effect, negativity effect A tendency in which some people "have a greater recall of unpleasant memories compared with positive memories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 256_cb
neglect of probability A tendency in which some people "have a greater recall of unpleasant memories compared with positive memories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 257_cb
newspeak Creating "identification with a certain kind of audience by inventing or using racist or offensive, sometimes military-sounding nicknames for opponents or enemies".  An example of: name-calling.  See also: ad hominem argument, alphabet soup, reductionism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 578_lf
next-in-line effect A tendency in which "people tend to have diminished recall for the words of the person who spoke immediately before them" when "taking turns speaking in a group using a predetermined order (e.g. going clockwise around a room, taking numbers, etc)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 258_cb
nihilism The blind rejection of "what exists in favor of what could be"; an "adolescent fantasy of romanticizing anarchy, chaos..., disorder, permanent revolution, or change for change's sake".  Opposite of: default bias. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 579_lf
NIMBY build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 526_lf
nirvana fallacy analysis paralysis, nirvana fallacy, paralysis of analysis, procrastination An argument that since all data is never available, therefore no decision can ever be made and action should always be delayed.  A "corruption of...argument from logos".  See also: law of unintended consequences. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 808_lf
no discussion control voice, muscular foreign policy, no discussion, no negotiation, peace through strength The rejection of reasoned dialogue along with the offer of "either instant, unconditional compliance...or defeat as the only two options for settling even minor differences".  A from of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: pout. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 580_lf
no negotiation control voice, muscular foreign policy, no discussion, no negotiation, peace through strength The rejection of reasoned dialogue along with the offer of "either instant, unconditional compliance...or defeat as the only two options for settling even minor differences".  A from of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: pout. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 809_lf
no pain no gain live as though you're dying, mortification, no pain no gain, pleasure-hating An attempt to gain positive benefit from extreme exercise, the infliction of pain, intentional starvation, or similar practices while denying that discomfort and pain are definite signals warning against bodily damage.  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: hedonism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 581_lf
no true Scotsman A fallacy of omission. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 029_lf
noble effort E for effort, noble effort, I'm trying my best, lost cause The idea that something must be good or true because someone has put a lot of good-faith effort or sacrifice into it.  A "fallacy6 of ethos".  An example is: waving the bloody shirt, the blood of the martyrs fallacy.  See also:  argument from inertia, cost bias, solider's honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 810_lf
nobody will ever know heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas A fallacy holding that "one may freely commit immoral, selfish, negative or evil acts at will without expecting any of the normal consequences or punishment" "just because nobody important is looking (or because one is on vacation, or away in college, or overseas)".  A counterpart to: appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 582_lf
non causa pro causa non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause A "catch-all...for mistaking a false cause of an event for the real cause".  Example of: false cause, false cause and effect.  See also: coincidental correlation, correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [4] 2024-08-26 2024-08-26 240_lf
non sequitur it does not follow, non sequitur An "argument that does not follow from the previous statements"; "using a premise to prove an unrelated point"; "conclusions that have no logical connection to the argument at hand".  Often, a writer may have left out a step of an argument they had in their head but did not put on paper.  While "applicable in general to any type of logical fallacy", often used by logicials specifically to reference "syllogistic errors such as the undistributed middle term, non causa pro causa, and ignorantio elenchi".  A component fallacy.  Common examples are: affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 016_lf
non-adaptive choice switching hot stove effect, once bitten twice shy, non-adaptive choice switching A tendency to "avoid the choice previously made when faced with the same decision problem again, even though the choice was optimal" after "experiencing a bad outcome with a decision problem". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 259_cb
non-argument argument draw your own conclusion fallacy, let the facts speak for themselves, non-argument argument A fallacy in which carefully selected (and perhaps shocking) facts are presented to an audience that is then asked immediately to come to their own conclusions, while people are more convinced when drawing a conclusion themselves rather than being presented with both an argument and the proposed conclusion together, and while the appropriate question would be "what has been allegedly proven and how?".  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: leading the witness fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 465_lf
non-negotiable demands appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 811_lf
non-recognition A choice "not to publicly recognize ground truth", typically with the idea that "this would somehow reward evil-doers" by recognizing "their deeds as real or consequential".  See also: political correctness, pout, state actor fallacy.  Not to be confused with: no negotiation. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 583_lf
noncooperation noncooperation, nonviolent civil disobedience, pout, silent treatment The arbitrary rejection of dialogue "before it is concluded".  A from of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: no discussion, non-recognition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 812_lf
none of yer beeswax appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 814_lf
nonviolent civil disobedience noncooperation, nonviolent civil disobedience, pout, silent treatment The arbitrary rejection of dialogue "before it is concluded".  A from of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: no discussion, non-recognition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 815_lf
normalcy bias A tendency to refuse "to plan for, or react to, a disaster which has never happened before".  Bias category: cognitive dissonance. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 260_cb
normalization of evil acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 816_lf
nos quoque ego quoque, I do it too, nos quoque, we do it too The attempted justification (or minimization of criticism) of some position or action on the basis that oneself or one's own group has also done the same thing.  See also: and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 523_lf
not in my back yard build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 584_lf
not invented here A tendency to dislike or avoid the "contact with or use of products, research, standards, or knowledge developed outside a group".  Example of: ingroup bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 261_cb
not the cause for the cause non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause A "catch-all...for mistaking a false cause of an event for the real cause".  Example of: false cause, false cause and effect.  See also: coincidental correlation, correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, after this therefore because of this, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc. [1], [2], [4] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 795_lf
nothing new under the sun plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose, nothing new under the sun, seen it all before, surprise surprise, uniformitarianism An incorrect assertion that there "is not and will never be any real novelty in this world".  Or, literally, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  A "corruption of the argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 585_lf
nuclear option all's fair in love and war, changing the rules, moving the goalposts, winning isn't everything it's the only thing Starting with certain requirements for a decision, then, when, the criteria are met, requiring a higher bar.  "A fallacy of logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 586_lf
Nuremberg defense blind loyalty, blind obedience, Nuremberg defense, team player appeal, unthinking obedience A fallacy which holds that "an argument or action is right simply and solely because a respected leader or source (a President, expert, one's parents, one's own side, team or country, one's boss or commanding officers) says it is right".  A corrupted argument from ethos.  See also: big brain little brain fallacy, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 372_lf
objectification A tendency to treat "a person as an object or a thing". See also: anthropomorphism, dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 262_cb
objectivity illusion A tendency for people to "believe that they are more objective and unbiased than others". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 263_cb
obscenity cursing, F-bomb, obscenity, profanity An attempt to "defend or strengthen one's argument with gratuitous, unrelated sexual, obscene, vulgar, crude or profane language when such language does nothing to make an argument stronger, other than perhaps to create a sense of identity with certain...audiences".  A fallacy of pathos.  Related to: salacious fallacy.  See also: red herring. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 466_lf
obscurantism obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance The argument that there are some things that humans, as mere mortals, either simply are not meant to know, or must never seek to know. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 587_lf
obscurationism obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance The argument that there are some things that humans, as mere mortals, either simply are not meant to know, or must never seek to know. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 818_lf
observation selection effect anthropic bias, anthropic principle, anthropic selection effect, observation selection effect The tendency for observations about the universe to only be made when there is someone to observe the data or to do the study.  Subforms include: weak anthropic principle (universe fine tuning being the result of survivorship bias), strong anthropic principle (the universe being compleled to have conscious, sapient life), participatory anthropic principle (the universe must be observed to exist), final anthropic principle (informational processing as inherent to universe existence).  An example of: selection effect. [19], [20] 2024-06-16 2024-07-07 691_lf
observer-expectancy effect A tendency in which "a researcher expects a given result and therefore unconsciously manipulates an experiment or misinterprets data in order to find it".  See also: subject-expectancy effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 264_cb
October surprise judicial surprise, oh I forgot, I forgot, oops, October surprise Typically, an attempt to end a debate by pretending to have "just remembered or uncovered some salient fact, argument or evidence", or suddenly presenting some sensational information only to then quuietly admit its lack of direct relevance to the topic at hand.   A "corrupt argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 690_lf
oh I forgot judicial surprise, oh I forgot, I forgot, oops, October surprise Typically, an attempt to end a debate by pretending to have "just remembered or uncovered some salient fact, argument or evidence", or suddenly presenting some sensational information only to then quuietly admit its lack of direct relevance to the topic at hand.   A "corrupt argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 684_lf
olfactory rhetoric olfactory rhetoric, the nose knows The marginalization of opponents based on false allegations of odor, poor hygeine, imagined diseases, or dirtiness.  A "fallacy of pathos".  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 588_lf
omission bias A tendency to "judge harmful actions (commissions) as worse, or less moral, than equally harmful inactions (omissions)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 265_cb
once bitten twice shy hot stove effect, once bitten twice shy, non-adaptive choice switching A tendency to "avoid the choice previously made when faced with the same decision problem again, even though the choice was optimal" after "experiencing a bad outcome with a decision problem". [6] 2024-08-22 2024-08-28 804_cb
oops judicial surprise, oh I forgot, I forgot, oops, October surprise Typically, an attempt to end a debate by pretending to have "just remembered or uncovered some salient fact, argument or evidence", or suddenly presenting some sensational information only to then quuietly admit its lack of direct relevance to the topic at hand.   A "corrupt argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 589_lf
optimism bias A tendency "to be over-optimistic, underestimating greatly the probability of undesirable outcomes and overestimating favorable and pleasing outcomes".  Opposite of: pessimism bias.  See also: positive outcome bias, valence effect, wishful thinking. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 266_cb
ostrich effect A tendency to ignore an "obvious negative situation". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 267_cb
ostrich strategy build a wall, Gitmo solution, lock em up and throw away the key, NIMBY, not in my back yard, ostrich strategy The idea that a problem ceases to exist for all practical purposes so long as it can be made to go away to somewhere that is out of sight, or censored, or ignored, perhaps with a focus on positive things instead. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 820_lf
othering othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 590_lf
otherizing othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 821_lf
outcome bias argument from consequences, outcome bias As a logical fallacy (outcome bias): a fallacy of claiming that something cannot be true because, if it were true, that would be bad or have a negative effect (while in reality the validity of the claim does not actually depend on the positive or negative impact of the claims).  A fallacy of relevance.  (See also: outcome bias.  Do not confuse with: actions have consequences.  As a cognitive bias (outcome bias): a fallacy "to judge a decision by its eventual outcome instead of the quality of the decision at the time it was made." [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 268_cb_lf
outgroup favoritism A tendency in which "some socially disadvantaged groups will express favorable attitudes (and even preferences) toward social, cultural, or ethnic groups other than their own".  A form of: social bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 269_cb
outgroup homogeneity bias A tendency in which "individuals see members of other groups as being relatively less varied than members of their own group".  A form of: ingroup bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 270_cb
overconfidence effect A tendency to "have excessive confidence in one's own answers to questions".  A form of: egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 271_cb
overexplanation A phenomenon in which, in reality, "beyond a certian point, more explanation, instructions, data, discussion, evidence, or proof inevitably results in less, not more, understanding."  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: plain truth, snow job. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 591_lf
overgeneralization overgeneralization, totus pro partes, mereological fallacy Applying an agreed-upon generalization to "all particular cases".  A "fallacy of logos".  Literally, "totus pro partes" means "whole for parts", and refers to extrapolating from one or two example cases to a claim about all cases.  The term "mereological" refers to the study of the relationship between parts and a wholes.)  See also: hasty generalization, pars pro toto fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 592_lf
oversimplifying oversimplifying, sloganeering, reductionism Deceipt through "simple answers or bumper-sticker slogans in response to complex questions".  See also: dog-whistle politics, plain truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 822_lf
panic An argument that "one's words or actions, no matter how damaging or evil" do not count due to having panicked.  See also: diminished responsibility, venting. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 593_lf
paralysis of analysis analysis paralysis, nirvana fallacy, paralysis of analysis, procrastination An argument that since all data is never available, therefore no decision can ever be made and action should always be delayed.  A "corruption of...argument from logos".  See also: law of unintended consequences. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 594_lf
paranoia appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 823_lf
pareidolia A tendency to "to perceive a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) as significant".  A form of: apophenia. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 272_cb
pars pro toto fallacy An assumption that what is true of a part is necessarily true of the whole.  Literally, "pars pro toto" means "part for the whole".  See also: overgeneralization, totus pro partes, mereological fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 595_lf
part-list cueing effect A tendency in which "being shown some items from a list and later retrieving one item causes it to become harder to retrieve the other items".  A form of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 273_cb
passive voice fallacy bureaucratic passive, passive voice fallacy An obverse is: be-verb fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 596_lf
paternalism This dismissal of an argument as childish or immature, usually with a "condescending attitude of superiority toward opposing standpoints or toward opponents themselves".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 597_lf
pathetic fallacy bleeding heart, drama queen or drama king fallacy, pathetic fallacy, playing on emotion, sob story A fallacy in which, ignoring facts, emotion is evoked alone.  A fallacy "of pure argument from pathos".  The opposite is: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism.  An obverse is: refinement, real feelings.  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 824_lf
peace through strength control voice, muscular foreign policy, no discussion, no negotiation, peace through strength The rejection of reasoned dialogue along with the offer of "either instant, unconditional compliance...or defeat as the only two options for settling even minor differences".  A from of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: pout. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 825_lf
peak–end rule A tendency in which "people seem to perceive not the sum of an experience but the average of how it was at its peak (e.g., pleasant or unpleasant) and how it ended".  A form of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 274_cb
Peltzman effect Peltzman effect, risk compensation A tendency to "take greater risks when perceived safety increases". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 306_cb
perfect is the enemy of good hero-busting, perfect is the enemy of good, the perfect is the enemy of the good A fallacy of pointing out that nobody could have been a hero because "nobody and nothing in this world is perfect".  Examples: pointing out the faults of historic figures generally held to have been otherwise heroic in some way; reviewing everything a political opponent has ever done or said to find something to condemn or misinterpret.  A "postmodern fallacy of ethos".  Opposite of: hereoes all.  Can aid: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 070_lf
Perky effect A tendency "real images" to "influence imagined images, or be misremembered as imagined rather than real".  An example of: misattribution of memory. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 346_cb
persistence A tendency for a traumatic event to result in unwanted recurrence of memories. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 275_cb
personal attack ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 002_lf
personalization Seeing oneself or someone else as "the essential cause of some external event" for which that "person had no responsibilty". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 598_lf
pessimism bias A tendency "for some people...to overestimate the likelihood of negative things happening to them".  See also: cynicism.  Opposite of: optimism bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 276_cb
petitio principii begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 467_lf
picture superiority effect A tendency in which "concepts that are learned by viewing pictures are more easily and frequently recalled than are concepts that are learned by viewing their written word form counterparts." [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 277_cb
placebo effect placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to do something, we have to send a message The position that when there is a problem or disconcert, then doing anything is beter than doing nothing, even if that action might seem illogical. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 827_lf
placement bias A tendency to "remember ourselves to be better than others at tasks at which we rate ourselves above average" and "to remember ourselves to be worse than others at tasks at which we rate ourselves below average".  See also: better-than-average effect, illusory superiority, worse-than-average effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 278_cb
plain truth fallacy executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 599_lf
plan continuation bias A tendency to fail to "recognize that the original plan of action is no longer appropriate for a changing situation or for a situation that is different from anticipated". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-11 279_cb_lf
planning fallacy A tendency "for people to underestimate the time it will take them to complete a given task". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 280_cb
plant blindness A tendency for people "to ignore plants in their environment" and "a failure to recognize and appreciate the utility of plants to life on earth". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 281_cb
plausible deniability A secenario in which "someone in power forces those under his or her control to do some questionable or evil act and to then falsely assume or conceal responsibility for that act in order to protect the ethos of the one in command".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 600_lf
playing on emotion bleeding heart, drama queen or drama king fallacy, pathetic fallacy, playing on emotion, sob story A fallacy in which, ignoring facts, emotion is evoked alone.  A fallacy "of pure argument from pathos".  The opposite is: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism.  An obverse is: refinement, real feelings.  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 601_lf
playing to emotions affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 106_cb
pleasure-hating live as though you're dying, mortification, no pain no gain, pleasure-hating An attempt to gain positive benefit from extreme exercise, the infliction of pain, intentional starvation, or similar practices while denying that discomfort and pain are definite signals warning against bodily damage.  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: hedonism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 602_lf
plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose the more things change the more they stay the same An incorrect assertion that there "is not and will never be any real novelty in this world".  Or, literally, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  A "corruption of the argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 829_lf
poisoning the well ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well Arguing against the opposing party instead of the reasoning given by the opposing party. This might question the intelligence, credentials, or character of the opposition. A "corrupted negative argument from ethos". Subcategories include abusive and circumstantial types. A fallacy of relevance. The opposite of star power. An obverse is token endorsement. See also: guilt by association. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 468_lf
political correctness The that the nature of a thing or scenario can be changed by changing its name.  SEe also: language control, non-recognition, venting. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 603_lf
political theater placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to do something, we have to send a message The position that when there is a problem or disconcert, then doing anything is beter than doing nothing, even if that action might seem illogical. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 830_lf
Pollyanna principle Pollyanna principle, projection bias, singing kumbaya, they're just like us An automatic and false assumption that everybody in some group context shares "basically the same (positive) wishes, desires, interests, concerns, ethics and moral code".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 604_lf
positive outcome bias A tendency in which people "overestimate the probability of good things happening to them".  See also: optimism bias. [6], [28] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 282_cb
positive thinking fallacy The position that objective reality will become changed favorably because one is thinking positively, often in addition to refusing to acknowledge evidence or counterarguments.  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: deliberate ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 605_lf
positivity effect A tendency in which "older adults favor positive over negative information in their memories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 283_cb
post hoc argument after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 606_lf
post hoc ergo propter hoc after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 832_lf
post hoc propter hoc after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [1], [2], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 833_lf
post-truth complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness An arbitrary declaration tht "today's world is so complex that there is no truth" or that if truth does exist it is "unknowable excerpt perhaps by God".  Opposite of: executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 607_lf
poster child fable, narrative fallacy, poster child Wrapping a message in a "heartwarming or horrifying story or fable" is more persusasive than more formal or direct argument, even if the story is fictional. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 834_lf
pout noncooperation, nonviolent civil disobedience, pout, silent treatment The arbitrary rejection of dialogue "before it is concluded".  A from of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: no discussion, non-recognition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 608_lf
power-play appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 835_lf
prejudice othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 836_lf
present bias current moment bias, hyperbolic discounting, present bias A tendency "for people to have a stronger preference for more immediate payoffs relative to later payoffs". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 284_cb
prevention bias A tendency "when investing money to protect against risks, decision makers perceive that a dollar spent on prevention buys more security than a dollar spent on timely detection and response, even when investing in either option is equally effective". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 285_cb
primacy effect A tendency in which "an item at the beginning of a list is more easily recalled".  A form of: serial position effect.  See also: recency effect, suffix effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 286_cb
pro-innovation bias appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias A fallacy that a view or other thing must be correct or better because it is new or recent. 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 470_lf
probability matching A phenomenon of "sub-optimal matching of the probability of choices with the probability of reward in a stochastic context". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 287_cb
processing difficulty effect A tendency in which "information that takes longer to read and is thought about more (processed with more difficulty) is more easily remembered". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 288_cb
procrastination analysis paralysis, nirvana fallacy, paralysis of analysis, procrastination An argument that since all data is never available, therefore no decision can ever be made and action should always be delayed.  A "corruption of...argument from logos".  See also: law of unintended consequences. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 837_lf
procrustean fallacy Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity The inappropriate application "the norms and requirements of standardized manufacturing. quality control and rigid scheduling, or of military discipline to inherently diverse free human beings, their lives, education, behavior, clothing and appearance". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 609_lf
profanity cursing, F-bomb, obscenity, profanity An attempt to "defend or strengthen one's argument with gratuitous, unrelated sexual, obscene, vulgar, crude or profane language when such language does nothing to make an argument stronger, other than perhaps to create a sense of identity with certain...audiences".  A fallacy of pathos.  Related to: salacious fallacy.  See also: red herring. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 471_lf
profiteering con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 472_lf
projection bias As a cognitive bias, a tendency "to overestimate how much one's future selves will share one's current preferences, thoughts and values, thus leading to sub-optimal choices".  As a logical fallacy, an automatic and false assumption that everybody in some group context shares "basically the same (positive) wishes, desires, interests, concerns, ethics and moral code".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 289_cb_lf
proof texting a priori argument, proof texting, rationalization A given pre-conceived conclusion is determined from the start, then any argument is sought to support it.  Reasoning "from what is before" without observation or experience.  Deciding that some claim is true and then "searching for any reasonable or reasonable-sounding argument to rationalize, defend or justify it".  A "corrupt arguent form logos".  Opposite of: taboo.  See also: argument from ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 838_lf
propaganda brainwashing, propaganda, radicalization The idea that "an enemy can instantly win over or radicalize an unsuspecting" individual with "vile but...persuasive propaganda" or by "beating an argument into" an a prisoner in coordination with techniques involving harsh treatment or drugs.  Generally used in the sense that only the other side can brainwash, while one's own side does not.  See also: bribery, love bombing, Stockholm syndrome. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 473_lf
proportionality bias An "innate tendency to assume that big events have big causes" which "may also explain our tendency to accept conspiracy theories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 290_cb
prosopography prosopology, prosopography, reciting the litany, tell me what were their names, reading the roll of martyrs The use of a long list of names (often unknown to the reader) to underline the gravity of an event, since proper names "can have near-mystical persuasive power".  A "fallacy of pathos and ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 839_lf
prosopology prosopology, prosopography, reciting the litany, tell me what were their names, reading the roll of martyrs The use of a long list of names (often unknown to the audience) to underline the gravity of an event, since proper names "can have near-mystical persuasive power".  A "fallacy of pathos and ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 610_lf
pseudocertainty effect A tendency to "make risk-averse choices if the expected outcome is positive, but make risk-seeking choices to avoid negative outcomes". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 292_cb
puritanical bias A tendency to "attribute cause of an undesirable outcome or wrongdoing by an individual to a moral deficiency or lack of self-control rather than taking into account the impact of broader societal determinants". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 293_cb
Pygmalion effect A tendency in whcih "others' expectations of a target person affect the target person's performance". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 294_cb
questionable authority eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-21 840_lf
questioning motives argument from motives, questioning motives A fallacy of claiming a point to be false simply on account of improper or evil motives of the person making the claim.  See also: moral licensing. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-28 841_lf
racism othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 842_lf
radicalization brainwashing, propaganda, radicalization The idea that "an enemy can instantly win over or radicalize an unsuspecting" individual with "vile but...persuasive propaganda" or by "beating an argument into" an a prisoner in coordination with techniques involving harsh treatment or drugs.  Generally used in the sense that only the other side can brainwash, while one's own side does not.  See also: bribery, love bombing, Stockholm syndrome. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 474_lf
rally 'round the flag appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 843_lf
rally 'round the president appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 844_lf
rationalization a priori argument, proof texting, rationalization A given pre-conceived conclusion is determined from the start, then any argument is sought to support it.  Reasoning "from what is before" without observation or experience.  Deciding that some claim is true and then "searching for any reasonable or reasonable-sounding argument to rationalize, defend or justify it".  A "corrupt arguent form logos".  Opposite of: taboo.  See also: argument from ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 845_lf
reactance A tendency to "do the opposite of what someone wants one to do out of a need to resist a perceived attempt to constrain one's freedom of choice". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 295_cb
reactive devaluation A tendency to devalue proposals "only because they purportedly originated with an adversary.". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 296_cb
reading the roll of martyrs prosopology, prosopography, reciting the litany, tell me what were their names, reading the roll of martyrs The use of a long list of names (often unknown to the audience) to underline the gravity of an event, since proper names "can have near-mystical persuasive power".  A "fallacy of pathos and ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 846_lf
real feelings refinement, real feelings A claim that "certain classes of living beings...in general are deemed incapable of experiencing...[certain feelings] like we do, or of having any real feelings at all".  Opposite of: playing on emotion.  See also: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism. [3] 2024-08-28 2024-08-28 077_lf
recency bias appeal to novelty, bad old days, early adopter's fallacy, pro-innovation bias, recency bias A fallacy that a view or other thing must be correct or better because it is new or recent. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-06-21 297_cb
recency effect A "form of serial position effect where an item at the end of a list is easier to recall".  Can be disrupted by: suffix effet.  See also: primacy effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 298_cb
recency illusion A mistaken perception that "a phenomenon one has noticed only recently is itself recent". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 299_cb
reciting the litany prosopology, prosopography, reciting the litany, tell me what were their names, reading the roll of martyrs The use of a long list of names (often unknown to the audience) to underline the gravity of an event, since proper names "can have near-mystical persuasive power".  A "fallacy of pathos and ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 847_lf
red herring distraction, red herring An attempt to change the subject or redirect argument from the issue at hand.  A form of: arguing beside the point, ignorantio elenchi, ignoring the issue, irrelevant conclusion.  Examples include: appeal to emotion, irrelevant conclusion, personal attack, straw man. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 039_lf
reductio ad Hitlerum ad Hitlerum An example of ad hominem or guilt by association that invokes a specific extreme persona from history. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-13 611_lf
reductionism oversimplifying, sloganeering, reductionism Deceipt through "simple answers or bumper-sticker slogans in response to complex questions".  See also: dog-whistle politics, plain truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 612_lf
refinement refinement, real feelings A claim that "certain classes of living beings...in general are deemed incapable of experiencing...[certain feelings] like we do, or of having any real feelings at all".  Opposite of: playing on emotion.  See also: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 613_lf
regressive bias conservatism bias, regressive bias As a memory cognitive bias, the tendency "to remember high values and high likelihoods/probabilities/frequencies as lower than they actually were and low ones as higher than they actually were" ("memories are not extreme enough"). 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 064_
reification fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 788_lf
reifying fallacy of misplaced concreteness, fallacy of reification, hypostatization, mistaking the map for the territory, reification, reifying A fallacy in which imaginary or abstract concepts or categories are treated as "actual, material things".  Treating a word for something as the same as the thing itself.  A "fallacy of ambiguity".  See also: faulty analogy, essentializing, equivocation. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 614_lf
relativizing A fallacy of dismissing arguments on the basis such as "it all depends", "that's your opinion; eveything is relative", or "whatever...I don't feel like arguing about it".  May falsely invoke concepts from physics such as Einstein's relativity theory or Heisenberg's uncertainty uncertainty principle as an argument.  Opposite of: essentializing. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 615_lf
reminiscence bump A tendnecy to recall "more personal events from adolescence and early adulthood than personal events from other lifetime periods". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 300_cb
rent control fallacy A mistaken belief that "rent caps lower prices".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 861_lf
repetition blindness The phenomenon of an "unexpected difficulty in remembering more than one instance of a visual sequence". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 301_cb
resilience doctrine every revolution ends up eating its own young, grit, law of unintended consequences, resilience doctrine An argument that, since it is impossible to know everything or to forsee anything, then unknown unknowns will always blindside and overwhelm, so therefore one must be prepared to maintain strength, withstand, and to recover as a main means of survival. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 848_lf
resolution by force of arms appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 849_lf
restraint bias A tendency to "overestimate one's ability to show restraint in the face of temptation". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 302_cb
reverse accident a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident Literally, "a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter" means "from a qualified statement to a simple statement"; the shorter "dictum simpliciter" means "simple statement".  A fallacy in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  Also, "mistaken use of inductive reasoning when there are too few samples to prove a point."  A common example is the misleading statistic, a statistic seems compelling the way it is presented, but a fuller picture would show otherwise.  A component fallacy.  See also: ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 558_lf
rhyme as reason effect A tendnecy in which "rhyming statements are perceived as more truthful". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 303_cb
risk compensation Peltzman effect, risk compensation A tendency to "take greater risks when perceived safety increases". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 305_cb
romantic fallacy affective fallacy, appeal to emotion, appeal to pity, argument from pity, argumentum ad misericordiam, emotion over reflection, follow your heart, playing to emotions, romantic fallacy "An emotional appeal to what should be a logical issue".  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy.  Often, "a fallacy of encouragement to root of the underdog regardless of the issues at hand".  "A corrupt argument from pathos."  A fallacy of relevance.  Closely related to angelism.  "Opposite to this is...chosen emotion fallacy."  Opposite of: appeal to rigor. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-24 475_lf
romantic rebel brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 616_lf
rosy retrospection A tendency to remember "the past as having been better than it really was". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 307_cb
safe place safe place, safe space The disallowance to "refute, challenge or even discuss another's beliefs" due to concerns over the discomfort or trigging effect on the emotionally fragile. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 617_lf
safe space safe place, safe space The disallowance to "refute, challenge or even discuss another's beliefs" due to concerns over the discomfort or trigging effect on the emotionally fragile. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 618_lf
salacious fallacy The false attraction of attention and potential agreement to an argument "by inappropriately sexualizing it, particularly connecting it to some form of sex that is perceived as deviant, perverted or prohibited".  See also: cursing, F-bomb, obscenity, profanity, red herring. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 619_lf
salience bias executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy As a cognitive bias, a tendency to "focus on items that are more prominent or emotionally striking and ignore those that are unremarkable, even though this difference is often irrelevant by objective standards".  As a logical fallacy, the favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 308_cb_lf
save the children fallacy humanitarian crisis, save the children fallacy Attracting public support for one side a distant crisis by invoking "in gross detail" the suffering of "the innocent, defenseless little children" while "conveniently ignoring the reality that innocent children on all sides usually suffer the most in any war, conflict, famine or crisis".  A "fallacy of pathos".  An example of: appeal to pity. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 620_lf
saying is believing effect A phenomenon in which "communicating a socially tuned message to an audience can lead to a bias of identifying the tuned message as one's own thoughts". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 309_cb
scapegoating blamecasting, scapegoating A fallacy in which there is always someone else to blame than oneself when anything goes wrong.  For scapegoating, the blamed entity is typically "other" or marginalized in some way already. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 621_lf
scarcity fallacy A mistaken belief that "earth is ru nning out of resources".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 817_lf
scare tactics appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 622_lf
scope insensitivity scope neglect, scope insensitivity A tendency to "be insensitive to the size of a problem when evaluating it". 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 291_cb
scope neglect scope neglect, scope insensitivity A tendency to "be insensitive to the size of a problem when evaluating it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 310_cb
scoring hey sports fans, moving the ball down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy The inappropriate application of sports analogy to other domains.  See also: evening up the score, getting even. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 623_lf
scripted message scripted message, talking points The strict limitation of public statements on a topic to ones that have been carefully prepared and are often "exaggerated or empty phrases developed to achieve maximum acceptance or maximum desired reaction from a target audience".  Opposite of: venting.  See also: big lie technique, dog whistle politics, political correctness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 624_lf
Scrooge McDuck fallacy A mistaken belief that "wealthy peole hoard their money in bank vaults".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 878_lf
scruples The obsession "to pathological excess about one's accidental, forgotten, unconfessed or unforgiven sins and because of them, the seemingly inevitable prospect of eternal damnation"  Opposite of: moral licensing. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 625_lf
secundum quid ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization Literally, "secundum quid" means "according to something", and "secundum quid et simpliciter" means "what is true in a certain respect and what is true absolutely".  A common type of "secundum quid" is: accident ("a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid"), in which a general rule is applied to an edge case that is actually an exception to the rule.  Another common type of "secundum quid" is: converse accident ("a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter"), in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  See also: a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-08-27 2024-08-28 786_lf
secundum quid et simpliciter ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter Literally, "secundum quid" means "according to something", and "secundum quid et simpliciter" means "what is true in a certain respect and what is true absolutely".  A common type of "secundum quid" is: accident ("a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid"), in which a general rule is applied to an edge case that is actually an exception to the rule.  Another common type of "secundum quid" is: converse accident ("a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter"), in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  See also: a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident. [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-08-26 2024-08-28 785_lf
security theater placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to do something, we have to send a message The position that when there is a problem or disconcert, then doing anything is beter than doing nothing, even if that action might seem illogical. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 851_lf
seen it all before plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose, nothing new under the sun, seen it all before, surprise surprise, uniformitarianism An incorrect assertion that there "is not and will never be any real novelty in this world".  Or, literally, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  A "corruption of the argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 852_lf
selection bias selection bias, selection effect The result when "the members of a statistical sample are not chosen completely at random", and as a result, the sample is "not representative of the population".  An example of: availability heuristic. [6], [20] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 311_cb
selection effect selection bias, selection effect The result when "the members of a statistical sample are not chosen completely at random", and as a result, the sample is "not representative of the population".  An example of: availability heuristic. [6], [20] 2024-06-11 2024-07-07 469_cb
selective perception A tendency for "expectations to affect perception". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 312_cb
self debasement self debasement, self deprecation A secenario in which false humility or genuine low self-esteem results in one's deliberately putting oneself down, "most often in hopes of attracting denials, gratifying compliments, and praise". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 626_lf
self deception self deception, self fooling, whistling by the graveyard The deliberate and knowing delusion of oneself "in order to achieve a goal, or perhaps simply to suppress anxiety and maintain one's energy level, enthusiasm, morale, peace of mind or sanity in moments of adversity." [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 627_lf
self deprecation self debasement, self deprecation A secenario in which false humility or genuine low self-esteem results in one's deliberately putting oneself down, "most often in hopes of attracting denials, gratifying compliments, and praise". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 628_lf
self fooling self deception, self fooling, whistling by the graveyard The deliberate and knowing delusion of oneself "in order to achieve a goal, or perhaps simply to suppress anxiety and maintain one's energy level, enthusiasm, morale, peace of mind or sanity in moments of adversity." 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 712_lf
self justification attribution error, fundamental attribution error, self justification A tendency to assume that others' (poor) behavior results from character defects (personality) while under-emphasizing the influence of the situation on others' behavior, while, at the same time, one's own behavior is held to be due to environmental factors (situtation).  A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Obverse is: self debasement, self deprecation.  See also: group attribution error, ultimate attribution error. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 476_lf
self righteousness moral high ground, moral superiority, self righteousness An argument that "evil has no rights" that must be respected by "the good and the righteous", in direct denial of the "golden rule".  See also: appeal to heaven, moving the goalposts. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 629_lf
self-generation effect generation effect, self-generation effect A tendnecy in which "self-generated information is remembered best". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-10 193_cb
self-relevance effect A tendency in which "memories relating to the self are better recalled than similar information relating to others". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 313_cb
self-serving bias A tendency to "claim more responsibility for successes than failures" or a tendency to "evaluate ambiguous information in a way beneficial to [one's] interests". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 314_cb
Semmelweis reflex A tendency to "reject new evidence that contradicts a paradigm". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 315_cb
sending the wrong message Attacking something "no matter how good, true or necessary" for the reason that supporting it would "send the wrong message", often such that "those who use this fallacy are openly confessing...that the truth will destroy the fragile web of illusion they have deliberately created by their lies".  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: mala fides. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 630_lf
serial position effect A tendency in which "items near the end of a sequence are the easiest to recall, followed by the items at the beginning of a sequence; items in the middle are the least likely to be remembered".  See also: recency effect, primacy effect, suffix effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 316_cb
seven sins of memory A tendency for memory failures to occur of the following types, as written about by Havard psychologist Daniel Schacter: transience, absent-mindedness, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 317_cb
sexual overperception bias A tendency to "overestimate sexual interest of another person in oneself". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 318_cb
sexual underperception bias A tendency to "underestimate sexual interest of another person in oneself". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 304_cb
shared information bias A tendency "for group members to spend more time and energy discussing information that all members are already familiar with (i.e., shared information), and less time and energy discussing information that only some members are aware of (i.e., unshared information)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 319_cb
shearing the sheeple con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 477_lf
shifting the burden of proof Challenging "an opponent to disprove a claim rather than asking the person making the claim to defend" their own argument.  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: argument from ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 632_lf
shock and awe appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe A fallacy in which a conclusion is reached due to force, threat of force, or threat of unpleasantness.  A fallacy of relevance, since reason for conclusion is not relevant to the argument at hand. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 853_lf
shock doctrine appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 854_lf
shockdoc appeal to fear, bogeyman fallacy, paranoia, scare tactics, shockdoc, shock doctrine, rally 'round the flag, rally 'round the president A fallacy in which one takes "advantage of a emergent or deliberately-created crisis and its associated public shock, panic and chaos in order to impose an argument, action or solution that would be clearly unacceptable if carefully considered".  A "corrupted argument from pathos".  A form of playing on emotions.  See also: shopping hungry fallacy, dog-whistle politics, we have to do something, worst-case fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 855_lf
shopping hungry fallacy The making of important decisions poorly while "under the influence of strong emotion".  A "fallacy of pathos".  See also: big but fallacy, playing on emotions, scare tactics, we have to do something. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 633_lf
silent majority fallacy A claim that a most people do not say anything about a matter but are in agreement about it, "contrary to the repeated findings of polls, surveys and...vote totals".  A form of: argument from ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 634_lf
silent treatment noncooperation, nonviolent civil disobedience, pout, silent treatment The arbitrary rejection of dialogue "before it is concluded".  A from of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: no discussion, non-recognition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 856_lf
simple truth fallacy executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy The favoring of "familiar, singular, summarized or easily comprehensible data, examples, explanations and evidence over those that are more complex and unfamiliar but much closer to the truth".  Might appear as "I don't want a whole lesson on it, just boil it down to the plain truth" or as an assertion that "the truth is always simple and only enemies of truth would make it complicated".  A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 857_lf
simpleton's fallacy good simpleton, simpleton's fallacy A claim that uninformed perspectives are equally as valid as fully informed perspectives.  A "fallacy of logos".  See also: argument from ignorance, just plain folks, plain truth fallacy, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 635_lf
sin of presumption expect a miracle, magical thinking, sin of presumption An argument that when it really matters, one just has to pray or do the right rituals and then a miracle will occur.  A "fallacy... of logos".  See also: appeal to heaven, Job's comforter fallacy, positive thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 858_lf
singing kumbaya Pollyanna principle, projection bias, singing kumbaya, they're just like us An automatic and false assumption that everybody in some group context shares "basically the same (positive) wishes, desires, interests, concerns, ethics and moral code".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 859_lf
slippery slope camel's nose fallacy, domino theory, slippery slope A fallacy holding that "one thing inevitably leads to another" when this is not necessarily the case.  A non sequitur.  A component fallacy. [1], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 636_lf
slippery slope fallacy camel's nose fallacy A fallacy holding that "one thing inevitably leads to another" when this is not necessarily the case.  A non sequitur.  A component fallacy. [1], [2] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 017_lf
sloganeering oversimplifying, sloganeering, reductionism Deceipt through "simple answers or bumper-sticker slogans in response to complex questions".  See also: dog-whistle politics, plain truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 860_lf
snow job falacia ad verbosium, information bias, snow job An attempt to prove a claim by overwhelming an audience with "mountains of true but marginally-relevant documents, graphs, words, facts, numbers, information and statistics s that look extremely impressive but which the...audience cannot be expected to understand or evaluate properly."   A "fallacy of logos".  Opposite of: plain truth fallacy.  See also: lying with statistics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 637_lf
so what appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 499_lf
sob story bleeding heart, drama queen or drama king fallacy, pathetic fallacy, playing on emotion, sob story A fallacy in which, ignoring facts, emotion is evoked alone.  A fallacy "of pure argument from pathos".  The opposite is: apathetic fallacy, burnout, compassion fatigue, cynicism.  An obverse is: refinement, real feelings.  See also: othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 862_lf
social comparison bias A tendency "when making decisions, to favour potential candidates who do not compete with one's own particular strengths". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 321_cb
social cryptomnesia A phenomenon of "a failure by people and society in general to remember the origin of a change, in which people know that a change has occurred in society, but forget how this change occurred; that is, the steps that were taken to bring this change about, and who took these steps". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 322_cb
social desirability bias A tendency to "over-report socially desirable characteristics or behaviours in oneself and under-report socially undesirable characteristics or behaviours".  See also: courtesy bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 323_cb
soldiers' honor fallacy A position that "all who wore a uniform, fought hard and followed orders are...heroes" regardless for whom or for what causes they were fighting, for example, regardless of whether that soldiering was "for freedom or to defend slavery".  See also: blind loyalty, heroes all, state actor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 638_lf
someone's going to win and it might as well be you An obverse of: Hoyle's fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-05 863_lf
sophism arguing in bad faith, mala fides, sophism A fallacy of putting forth an argument that the argue knows is invalid.  Includes: motivational truth, demagogy, campaign promises, self deception, whistling by the graveyward. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 864_lf
source confusion A phenomenon in which "episodic memories are confused with other information, creating distorted memories". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 324_cb
spacing effect A tendency in which "information is better recalled if exposure to it is repeated over a long span of time rather than a short one". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 325_cb
speakee fallacy othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 640_lf
special covenant American exceptionalism, appeal to heaven, argumentum ad coelum, Deus vult, Gott mit uns, manifest destiny A fallacy based on claiming to know God's mind and wishes, which cannot really be challenged.  A "deluded argument from ethos".  Opposite of: Job's comforter fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 478_lf
special pleading big but fallacy, special pleading A fallacy of stating "a generally-accepted principle and then directly negating it with a 'but'.  Often detailed as a special case "supposedly exempt from the usual rules of law, logic, morality, ethics or even credibility".  Closely related to: contradictory premises.  A component fallacy. [1], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 022_lf
sports world fallacy hey sports fans, moving the ball down the field, scoring, sports world fallacy The inappropriate application of sports analogy to other domains.  See also: evening up the score, getting even. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 641_lf
spotlight effect A tendecy to "overestimate the amount that other people notice one's appearance or behavior". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 326_cb
squeaky wheel gets the grease appeasement, assertiveness, i know my rights, squeaky wheel gets the grease A fallacy of obtaining a result not through argument but through the audience's willingness to give in so that the opposition will simply be satisfied, quieter, or no longer a nuisance.  Common in public agencies, education, and retail.  Sometimes promoted as a practical, nonviolent way for groups to promote change.  See also: bribery. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-26 479_lf
stacking the deck card stacking, half truth, incomplete information, stacking the deck A fallacy of ignoring examples or evidence that disprove one's point and instead only listing examples or sharing evidence which would support one's point.  A fallacy of omission.  A "corrupt argument from logos".  Different from: straw man.  See also: confirmation bias, hasty generalization. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 028_lf
standard version fallacy A claim that one version of a text is the only correct one, thus removing some original meaning and also stopping discussion of the meaning of prior versions of the text.  A form of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: argumentum ad mysteriam, dog-whistle politics, othering, monolingual fallacy, othering. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 642_lf
standardization Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity The inappropriate application "the norms and requirements of standardized manufacturing. quality control and rigid scheduling, or of military discipline to inherently diverse free human beings, their lives, education, behavior, clothing and appearance". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 866_lf
star power eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-21 643_lf
state actor fallacy A position that "those who fight and die for their country...are worthy of honor or at least pardonable" regardless of their particular allegiance, while "those who fight for a non-state actor...are not...no matter...their cause...unless they win and become the recognized state or are adopted by a state after the fact". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 644_lf
state-dependent memory mood-congruent memory bias, state-dependent memory A tendency in which "recall of information" is "congruent with one's current mood". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 250_cb
status quo bias A tendency to "prefer things to stay relatively the same". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 327_cb
stay the course argument from inertia, stay the course A believe that "it is necessary to continue on a mistaken course of action regardless of pain and sacrifice involved and even after discovering it is mistaken, because changing course would mean admitting that one's decision (or one's leader, or one's country, or one's faith) was wrong, and all one's effort, expense, sacrifice and even bloodshed was for nothing, and that's unthinkable".  A form of: argument from consequences, E for effort, or appeal to tradition.  See also: throwing good money after bad. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 480_lf
staying on message big lie technique, bold faced lie, staying on message A fallacy of "repeating a lie, fallacy, slogan, talking-point, nonsense-statement or deceptive half-truth over and over in different forms (particularly in the media) until it becomes part of daily discourse and people accept it without further proof or evidence".  Notably, "the bolder and more outlandish the big lie becomes the more credible it seems".  See also: alphabet soup, alternative truth; bandwagon fallacy, propaganda, straw man. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 481_lf
stereotype bias stereotype bias, stereotypical bias A phenomenon in which memory is "distorted towards stereotypes (e.g., racial or gender)" [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 328_cb
stereotypical bias stereotype bias, stereotypical bias A phenomenon in which memory is "distorted towards stereotypes (e.g., racial or gender)" [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 329_cb
stereotyping othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english As a cognitive bias, a pheneomenon of "expecting a member of a group to have certain characteristics without having actual information about that individual".  Example of: false priors.  As a logical fallacy, an argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 330_cb_lf
Stockholm syndrome The agreement with one's captor simply for psychological reasons related to survival rather than for one's own reasons. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 645_lf
straw figure straw figure, straw person, straw man, straw man argument, strawman The setting up and knocking down or reduction to absurdity of a false, weak, extreme, or ridiculous version of an opponent's argument, while ignoring the actual components of the actual argument that the opponent puts forth.  A subtype of red herring. A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 867_lf
straw man straw figure, straw person, straw man, straw man argument, strawman The setting up and knocking down or reduction to absurdity of a false, weak, extreme, or ridiculous version of an opponent's argument, while ignoring the actual components of the actual argument that the opponent puts forth.  A subtype of red herring. A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 646_lf
straw man argument straw figure, straw person, straw man, straw man argument, strawman The setting up and knocking down or reduction to absurdity of a false, weak, extreme, or ridiculous version of an opponent's argument, while ignoring the actual components of the actual argument that the opponent puts forth.  A subtype of red herring. A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 015_lf
straw person straw figure, straw person, straw man, straw man argument, strawman The setting up and knocking down or reduction to absurdity of a false, weak, extreme, or ridiculous version of an opponent's argument, while ignoring the actual components of the actual argument that the opponent puts forth.  A subtype of red herring. A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 868_lf
strawman straw figure, straw person, straw man, straw man argument, strawman The setting up and knocking down or reduction to absurdity of a false, weak, extreme, or ridiculous version of an opponent's argument, while ignoring the actual components of the actual argument that the opponent puts forth.  A subtype of red herring. A component fallacy. [1], [2], [3 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 828_lf
subadditivity effect A tendency to "tendency to judge the probability of the whole to be less than the probabilities of the parts".  Exampe of: logical fallacy. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 331_cb_lf
subject-expectancy effect A phenomenon in which a "research subject expects a given result and therefore unconsciously affects the outcome, or reports the expected result".  See also: observer-expectancy effect. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 332_cb
subjective validation A phenomenon in which "statements are perceived as true if a subject's belief demands it to be true".  Also in this phenomenon, one may assign "perceived connections between coincidences".  A form of: truth judgement. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 333_cb
suck it up fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 647_lf
suffix effect A "diminishment of the recency effect because a sound item is appended to the list that the subject is not required to recall". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 334_cb
suggestibility A phenomenon in which "ideas suggested by a questioner are mistaken for memory". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 335_cb
sui generis fallacy difference, sui generis fallacy A rejection of "the validity of analogy and of inductive reasoning altogether" on the basis that " any given person, place, thing or idea under consideration is...different and unique, in a class unto itself".  Literally, "sui generis" means "of its own kind".  Opposite of: false analogy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 648_lf
sunk cost fallacy escalation of commitment, irrational escalation, sunk cost fallacy, throwing good money after bad As a cognitive bias, a tendency in which "people justify increased investment in a decision, based on the cumulative prior investment, despite new evidence suggesting that the decision was probably wrong".  As a logical fallacy, claiming that new investment is needed or else the prior investment would be lost, while ignoring the probability that additional investment will not result in actual gains, either.  See also: argument from inertia. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 336_cb_lf
superiority bias better-than-average effect, illusory superiority, Lake Wobegon effect, superiority bias A "tendency to overestimate one's desirable qualities, and underestimate undesirable qualities, relative to other people".  A form of egocentric bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-07-02 337_cb
surprise surprise plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose, nothing new under the sun, seen it all before, surprise surprise, uniformitarianism An incorrect assertion that there "is not and will never be any real novelty in this world".  Or, literally, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  A "corruption of the argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 869_lf
surrogation A phenomenon of "lLosing sight of the strategic construct that a measure is intended to represent, and subsequently acting as though the measure is the construct of interest.". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 338_cb
survivorship bias A phenomenon of "concentrating on the people or things that 'survived' some process and inadvertently overlooking those that did not because of their lack of visibility".  Example of: availability heuristic. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 339_cb
sweeping generalization ignoring qualifications, secundum quid, secundum quid et simpliciter, sweeping generalization Literally, "secundum quid" means "according to something", and "secundum quid et simpliciter" means "what is true in a certain respect and what is true absolutely".  A common type of "secundum quid" is: accident ("a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid"), in which a general rule is applied to an edge case that is actually an exception to the rule.  Another common type of "secundum quid" is: converse accident ("a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter"), in which "a rule that applies only to an exceptional case is wrongly applied to all cases in general".  See also: a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, converse accident, destroying the exception, dicto simpliciter, hasty generalization, jumping to conclusions, reverse accident.[1], [2], [31], [32] [1], [2], [31], [32] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 563_lf
system justification A tendency to "defend and bolster the status quo". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 340_cb
systematic bias A phenomenon when "targets of differentiating judgement become subject to effects of regression that are not equivalent". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 341_cb
taboo dogmatism, taboo Arbitrarily claiming that certain "arguments, assumptions, dogmas, standpoints, or actions" are not open to discussion.  A form of: argumentum ad baculum.  See also: mind your own business, tone policing, calling "cards". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 649_lf
tachypsychia A phenomenon in which "time perceived by the individual either lengthens, making events appear to slow down, or contracts".  A form of: memory bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 342_cb
take names and kick butt take names and kick butt, thousand flowers fallacy A phenomenon of deceptively allowing, encouraging, or demanding free and open brainstorming or discussion, which is only temporary and for the purpose of identifying and then punishing the opposition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 870_lf
talking points scripted message, talking points The strict limitation of public statements on a topic to ones that have been carefully prepared and are often "exaggerated or empty phrases developed to achieve maximum acceptance or maximum desired reaction from a target audience".  Opposite of: venting.  See also: big lie technique, dog whistle politics, political correctness. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 650_lf
teach the controversy false balance, false equivalence, teach the controversy, two-sides fallacy Presenting an issue in such a way that makes it seemas though there are "two sides of equal weight or significance, when in fact a consensus or much stronger argument supports just one side". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 871_lf
team player appeal blind loyalty, blind obedience, Nuremberg defense, team player appeal, unthinking obedience A fallacy which holds that "an argument or action is right simply and solely because a respected leader or source (a President, expert, one's parents, one's own side, team or country, one's boss or commanding officers) says it is right".  A corrupted argument from ethos.  See also: big brain little brain fallacy, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 482_lf
teleological bias A tendency to "engage in overgeneralized ascriptions of purpose to entities and events that did not arise from goal-directed action, design, or selection based on functional effects". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 343_cb
telescoping effect A tendency to "displace recent events backwards in time and remote events forward in time". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 344_cb
tell me what were their names prosopology, prosopography, reciting the litany, tell me what were their names, reading the roll of martyrs The use of a long list of names (often unknown to the audience) to underline the gravity of an event, since proper names "can have near-mystical persuasive power".  A "fallacy of pathos and ethos". [3] 2024-08-28 368_lf
testimonial eminence-based practice, falacia ad verecundiam, faulty use of authority, questionable authority, star power, testimonial A fallacy in which arguments "are granted fame and validity or condemed to obscurity soley by whoever may be the reigning stars or premier journals of the profession or discpline at the moment". A "corrupt argument from ethos".  Includes: faulty use of quotes. [3] 2024-06-21 2024-08-28 916_lf
testing effect A tendency to "more easily recall information one has read by rewriting it instead of rereading it". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 345_cb
Texas sharpshooter fallacy A fallacy in which "differences in data are ignored, but similarities are overemphasized".  An "informal fallacy". [22] 2024-06-12 2024-07-08 708_
the argument from motives See too Questioning Motives. A kind of ad hominem. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 058_lf
the nose knows olfactory rhetoric, the nose knows olfactory rhetoric, the nose knows [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 876_lf
the perfect is the enemy of the good hero-busting, perfect is the enemy of good, the perfect is the enemy of the good A fallacy of pointing out that nobody could have been a hero because "nobody and nothing in this world is perfect".  Examples: pointing out the faults of historic figures generally held to have been otherwise heroic in some way; reviewing everything a political opponent has ever done or said to find something to condemn or misinterpret.  A "postmodern fallacy of ethos".  Opposite of: hereoes all.  Can aid: identity fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 483_lf
the politics of the center falacia ad temperantiam, marginalization of the adversary, middle of the road fallacy, politics of the center An argument that a position is correct "not on its own merits" but "solely or mainly by presenting it as the only moderate path among two or more obviously unacceptable extreme alternatives". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 877_lf
there is no alternative fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 879_lf
they're all biased A scenario in which an "extremely common contemporary [phenomenon] of ignoring news and news media because none tells the objective truth and all push some agenda" results in, instead of reviewing "a variety of media sources in order to get any approximation of reality", "many...people..." then totally ignore "news...and public affairs altogether".  See also: deliberate ignorance, they're all crooks, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 652_lf
they're all crooks A refusal to "get involved in public politics because all politicians...are allegedly corrupt" while ignoring that "it is precisely because decent people...refuse to get involved, leaving the field open to the [alleged] crooks by default". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 653_lf
they're all liars they're all liars, third person effect, wise up A phenomenon in which people opt to remain in ignorance rather than listening to "mainstream media, the president, the medical establishment, professionals, pforessors, doctors, the academic elite, or other authorities or information sources, even about urgent subjects" and instead of becoming educated and participatory on a subject, thus laeding such uninformed people to believe that others are more influenced by mass media in comparsion with themselves.  Example of: deliberate ignorance.  See also: simpleton's fallacy, trust your gut. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 880_lf
they're just like us Pollyanna principle, projection bias, singing kumbaya, they're just like us An automatic and false assumption that everybody in some group context shares "basically the same (positive) wishes, desires, interests, concerns, ethics and moral code".  A "fallacy of ethos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 881_lf
they're not like us othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 882_lf
third person effect they're all liars, third person effect, wise up A phenomenon in which people opt to remain in ignorance rather than listening to "mainstream media, the president, the medical establishment, professionals, pforessors, doctors, the academic elite, or other authorities or information sources, even about urgent subjects" and instead of becoming educated and participatory on a subject, thus laeding such uninformed people to believe that others are more influenced by mass media in comparsion with themselves.  Example of: deliberate ignorance.  See also: simpleton's fallacy, trust your gut. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 654_lf
third-person effect A tendency to "believe that mass-communicated media messages have a greater effect on others than on themselves". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 347_cb
this is the best of all possible worlds acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 491_lf
thousand flowers fallacy take names and kick butt, thousand flowers fallacy A phenomenon of deceptively allowing, encouraging, or demanding free and open brainstorming or discussion, which is only temporary and for the purpose of identifying and then punishing the opposition. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 655_lf
three monkeys' fallacy closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 884_lf
throwing good money after bad sunk cost fallacy, throwing good money after bad Claiming that new investment is needed or else the prior investment would be lost, while ignoring the probability that additional investment will not result in actual gains, either.  See also: argument from inertia. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 656_lf
time inconsistency dynamic inconsistency, time inconsistency A scenario in which "a decision-maker's preferences change over time in such a way that a preference can become inconsistent at another point in time".  See also: current moment bias, hyperbiolic discounting, present bias. [6], [21] 2024-06-12 2024-07-07 704_cb
time-saving bias A tendency to "underestimate the time that could be saved (or lost) when increasing (or decreasing) from a relatively low speed, and to overestimate the time that could be saved (or lost) when increasing (or decreasing) from a relatively high speed". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 348_cb
TINA fait accompli, get over it, love it or leave it, suck it up, there is no alternative, TINA The rejection of opposing ideas on the basis that "there is no realistic alternative to a given standpoint, status or action, arbitrarily ruling any and all other options out of bounds, or announcing that a decision has been made and any further discussion is insubordination, disloyalty, treason, disobedience or simply a waste of precious time when there's a job to be done".  An extension of: either/or fallacy.  A form of: appeal to force, argument from force, argument from strength, argument from the club (stick), argumentum ad baculum, bullying, fascism, hard power, might-makes-right, muscular leadership, non-negotiable demands, power-play, resolution by force of arms, shock and awe.  See also: taboo, finish the job.  See also: appeal to closure, acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, whatever is is right. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 651_lf
tiny percentage fallacy A claim that "an amount or action that is quite significant in and of itself somehow becomes insignificant simply because it's a tiny percentage of something much larger".  A form of: lying with statistics. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 657_lf
tip of the tongue phenomenon A phenomenon in which one is "able to recall parts of an item, or related information, but is frustratingly unable to recall the whole item". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 349_cb
token endorsement Fallacy saying that a positive statement made by an individual with a pertinent characteristic must be true because of their possession of that characteristic. For example, a claim that, just because a member of a minority group states that a person of the majority group is not bigoted against the minority group, that this must therefore be true.  (It is still possible for the statement to be incorrect, despite the group membership of the person making the statement.) [3] 2024-06-11 2024-06-13 042_lf
tone policing Judging the validity of an argument based on the emotional tone in which it is delivered, ignoring that the fact or argument could be valid regardless of the tone of its delivery.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: F-bomb. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 659_lf
too much of a coincidence after this therefore because of this, clustering illusion, post hoc argument, post hoc propter hoc, post hoc ergo propter hoc, too much of a coincidence A mistaken conclusion that one event must have been caused by a specific earlier event.  Example of: correlation implies causation, cum hoc ergo propter hoc, coincidental correlation, false cause, false cause and effect, non causa pro causa, not the cause for the cause. [3], [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 034_lf
totus pro partes fallacy overgeneralization, totus pro partes, mereological fallacy Applying an agreed-upon generalization to "all particular cases".  A "fallacy of logos".  Literally, "totus pro partes" means "whole for parts", and refers to extrapolating from a claim about a whole to a claim about all components.  The term "mereological" refers to the study of the relationship between parts and a wholes.)  See also: hasty generalization, pars pro toto fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 885_lf
trait ascription bias A tendency "for people to view themselves as relatively variable in terms of personality, behavior, and mood while viewing others as much more predictable". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 350_cb
transfer name dropping, transfer The false association of "a famous or respected person, place or thing with an unrelated thesis or standpoint".  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  See also: star power. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 484_lf
Travis syndrome A tendency to overestimate "the significance of the present".  See also: chronological snobbery, appeal to novelty. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 351_cb
trust your feelings emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 886_lf
trust your gut emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 660_lf
trust your heart emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 887_lf
trust your instincts emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 888_lf
trust your intuition emotional reasoning, trust your feelings, trust your gut, trust your heart, trust your instincts, trust your intuition The use primarily of gut feelings instead of reason or evidence when deciding something.  A "corrupt argument from pathos".  See also: affective fallacy, deliberate ignorance, third person effect. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 889_lf
truth bias A tendency "towards believing, to some degree, the communication of another person, regardless of whether or not that person is actually lying or being untruthful". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 352_cb
truthdig fallacy brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 890_lf
truthiness complexity, ineffability, post-truth, truthiness An arbitrary declaration tht "today's world is so complex that there is no truth" or that if truth does exist it is "unknowable excerpt perhaps by God".  Opposite of: executive summary, keep it short and simple, keep it simple stupid, KISS principle, monocausal fallacy, plain truth fallacy, salience bias, simple truth fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 661_lf
truthout fallacy brave heretic, conspiracy theories, iconoclastic fallacy, romantic rebel, truthout fallacy, truthdig fallacy A fallacy of holding a claim as true just because that position "is supposedly standing up heroically to the dominant orthodoxy, the current standard model, conventional wisdom or political correctness, or whatever may be the bandwagon of the moment".  A corrupt argument from ethos.  The opposite of: bandwagon fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 891_lf
tu quoque and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 662_lf
tuning out closed-mindedness, deliberate ignorance, hear no evil see no evil speak no evil, I don't want to hear it, motivated ignorance, three monkeys' fallacy, tuning out The action of "choosing not to listen", "turning off any information, evidence or arguments that challenge one's beliefs, ideology, standpoint, or peace of mind", perhaps saying "Don't try to confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up".  See also: confirmation bias, obscurantism, obscurationism, positive thinking fallacy, simpleton's fallacy, third person effect, they're all crooks, trust your gut, willful ignorance. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 485_lf
Turkey illusion A tendency to be surprised by a break in at trend "if one does not know the causes or the framework conditions for this trend". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 353_cb
two truths compartmentalization, epistemically closed systems, two truths A position that "there exists one truth in one given environment (e.g., in science, work or school) and simultaneously a different, formally contradictory but equally true truth in a different epistemic system, context, environment, intended audience or discourse community (e.g., in one's religion or at home)".  A "fallacy of logos and ethos".  See also: alternative truth, disciplinary blinders. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 663_lf
two wrongs make a right and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 892_lf
two-sides fallacy false balance, false equivalence, teach the controversy, two-sides fallacy Presenting an issue in such a way that makes it seemas though there are "two sides of equal weight or significance, when in fact a consensus or much stronger argument supports just one side". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 664_lf
ultimate attribution error A tendency in which "a person is likely to make an internal attribution to an entire group instead of the individuals within the group".  Similar to: fundamental attribution error.  A type of: attribution bias. [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 354_cb
unaffordable innovation fallacy A mistaken belief that "technology is unaffordable and is only for the rich".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 819_lf
unconscious bias implicit bias, unconscious bias A pheneomenon of "underlying attitudes and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with them". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 355_cb
underlying meaning etymological fallacy, underlying meaning A fallacy of "drawing false conclusions from the...linguistic origins of a current word" or the "alleged meanings or associations of that word in another langauge".  "A fallacy of logos."" [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-06 893_lf
undistributed middle term A component fallacy. [1] 2024-06-11 2024-06-11 020_lf
uniformitarianism plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose, nothing new under the sun, seen it all before, surprise surprise, uniformitarianism An incorrect assertion that there "is not and will never be any real novelty in this world".  Or, literally, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".  A "corruption of the argument from logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 894_lf
uniformity Fordism, keeping up standards, procrustean fallacy, standardization, uniformity The inappropriate application "the norms and requirements of standardized manufacturing. quality control and rigid scheduling, or of military discipline to inherently diverse free human beings, their lives, education, behavior, clothing and appearance". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 895_lf
unit bias A tendency in which a "standard suggested amount of consumption (e.g., food serving size) is perceived to be appropriate" and in which "a person would consume it all even if it is too much for this particular person". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 357_cb
unthinking obedience blind loyalty, blind obedience, Nuremberg defense, team player appeal, unthinking obedience A fallacy which holds that "an argument or action is right simply and solely because a respected leader or source (a President, expert, one's parents, one's own side, team or country, one's boss or commanding officers) says it is right".  A corrupted argument from ethos.  See also: big brain little brain fallacy, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 486_lf
valence effect A tendency in which, given equivalent factual information, the framing of an event as positive (desirable) or negative (undesirable) can result in differing levels of unrealistic optimism.  See also: optimism bias. [6], [29] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 358_cb
value selection bias A tendency to "rely on existing numerical data when reasoning in an unfamiliar context, even if calculation or numerical manipulation is required". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 359_cb
values just plain folks, values An argument that someone who speaks in simple terms and seems like a straight talker is necessarily worthy of being believed for that reason alone, especially in contrast with more sophisticated or fancier seeming speakers.   A "corrupt...argument from ethos".  See also: ad hominem fallacy, plain truth fallacy, simpleton's fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 896_lf
venting letting off steam, loose lips, venting A claim that someone ought to be "excempt from criticism" becuase they were just venting, even though venting implies expression of their actual position on some matter.  Opposite of: political correctness, scripted message.  See also: affective fallacy, alpha-male speech,bad-boy talk, locker-room talk. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 665_lf
venue Arbitrarily invalidating an otherwise-valid argument or piece of evidence because it is alleged to have come from a wrong place, time, medium, or forum.  See also: disciplinary blinders. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 666_lf
verbatim effect A tendency in which "the 'gist' of what someone has said is better remembered than the verbatim wording". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 360_cb
vicious circle begging the question, catch 22, circular reasoning, circulus in probando, petitio principii, vicious circle A fallacy in which the same proposition appears as a premise and as a conclusion (sometimes worded in two statements appearing differently enough to make this not very obvious); for example, "A, therefore B." and also "B, therefore A".  Sometimes, begging the question and circular reasoning are used interchangeably and sometimes with a difference--begging the question or petitio principii more specifically assumes as evidence the conclusion they are trying to prove.)  A fallacy of logos.  A component fallacy.  See also: complex question, big lie technique. [1], [2], [3] 2024-06-11 2024-07-03 487_lf
voice of the voiceless One who says that there exists a silent majority may then claim for themselves the title of being the voice of those who are voiceless, even if there is no evidence of such a group of people sharing their position. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 667_lf
von Restorff effect A tendency in which "an item that sticks out is more likely to be remembered than other items". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 361_cb
vulture capitalism con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 488_lf
wage dictation fallacy A mistaken belief that "salaries are set by individual companies or the government, and that some salaries are artificially inflated or deflated".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 865_lf
waving the bloody shirt blood of the martyrs fallacy, waving the bloody shirt A fallacy holding that "a cause or argument, no matter how questionable or reprehensible, cannot be questioned without dishonoring the blood and sacrifice of those who died so nobly for that cause".  An extreme example of: e for effort, I'm trying by best, lost cause.  See also: appeal to pity, argument from inertia, cost bias, heroes all, sob story, soldiers' honor fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-03 668_lf
we can't afford to take chances an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 897_lf
we do it too ego quoque, I do it too, nos quoque, we do it too The attempted justification (or minimization of criticism) of some position or action on the basis that oneself or one's own group has also done the same thing.  See also: and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 898_lf
we have to do something placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to do something, we have to send a message The position that when there is a problem or disconcert, then doing anything is beter than doing nothing, even if that action might seem illogical. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 669_lf
we have to send a message placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to do something, we have to send a message The position that when there is a problem or disconcert, then doing anything is beter than doing nothing, even if that action might seem illogical. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 658_lf
wealth is the disease and I am the cure con artist's fallacy, dacoit's fallacy, profiteering, shearing the sheeple, vulture capitalism, wealth is the disease and I am the cure Fallacy saying that those who are less capable therefore are less deserving and therefore can be justifiably victimized due to how nature is. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 489_lf
Weber–Fechner law Dual tendencies in which "the perceived change in stimuli is proportional to the initial stimuli" and also "for multiplications in stimulus strength, the strength of perception only adds" (except, neither tendency is the case "at low intensity"). [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-22 362_cb
well travelled road effect A tendency to "underestimate the duration taken to traverse oft-travelled routes and overestimate the duration taken to traverse less familiar routes". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 363_cb
what goes around comes around Job's comforter fallacy, karma is a bi**h, what goes around comes around An argument that there is no random chance, and that one's own misfortunes must be punishment for sins or wickedness.  Opposite of: appeal to heaven.  See also: magical thinking. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 899_lf
what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas A fallacy holding that "one may freely commit immoral, selfish, negative or evil acts at will without expecting any of the normal consequences or punishment" "just because nobody important is looking (or because one is on vacation, or away in college, or overseas)".  A counterpart to: appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 900_lf
whataboutery attacking the evidence, missing link fallacy, whataboutery, whataboutism Incorrectly claiming that "some or all of the key evidence is missing, incomplete, or faked"; or, asking "what about" some false assertion about the veracity or completeness of the evidence or claim presented.  See also: appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam. [3] 2024-08-28 906_lf
whataboutism attacking the evidence, missing link fallacy, whataboutery, whataboutism Incorrectly claiming that "some or all of the key evidence is missing, incomplete, or faked"; or, asking "what about" some false assertion about the veracity or completeness of the evidence or claim presented.  See also: appeal to a lack of evidence, appeal to ignorance, argument from ignorance, argumentum ad ignorantiam. [3] 2024-06-11 2024-08-28 055_lf
whatever is is right acquiescence, better the devil you know than the devil you don't, deal with it, default bias, get used to it, if it ain't broke don't fix it, it is what it is, let it be let it be, making one's peace with the situation, normalization of evil, this is the best of all possible worlds, this is the only possible world The fallacy that just because something is the current state that is therefore the preferred state.  Opposite of: nihilism. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 703_lf
where there's smoke there's fire hasty conclusions Arriving at a snap conculsion without sufficient supporting evidence.  Opposite of: paralysis of analysis.  See also: jumping to conclusions. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 670_lf
whistling by the graveyard self deception, self fooling, whistling by the graveyard The deliberate and knowing delusion of oneself "in order to achieve a goal, or perhaps simply to suppress anxiety and maintain one's energy level, enthusiasm, morale, peace of mind or sanity in moments of adversity." [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 671_lf
Wikipedia fallacy crowdsourcing, magic of the market, wisdom of the crowd, Wikipedia fallacy The idea that the market or the crowd is infallible, ignoring historical examples of the majority having been wrong about something. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 692_lf
willful ignorance obscurantism, obscurationism, willful ignorance The argument that there are some things that humans, as mere mortals, either simply are not meant to know, or must never seek to know. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-26 902_lf
winning isn't everything it's the only thing all's fair in love and war, changing the rules, moving the goalposts, nuclear option Starting with certain requirements for a decision, then, when, the criteria are met, requiring a higher bar.  "A fallacy of logos". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-14 672_lf
wisdom of the crowd crowdsourcing, magic of the market, wisdom of the crowd, Wikipedia fallacy The idea that the market or the crowd is infallible, ignoring historical examples of the majority having been wrong about something. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 673_lf
wise up they're all liars, third person effect, wise up A phenomenon in which people opt to remain in ignorance rather than listening to "mainstream media, the president, the medical establishment, professionals, pforessors, doctors, the academic elite, or other authorities or information sources, even about urgent subjects" and instead of becoming educated and participatory on a subject, thus laeding such uninformed people to believe that others are more influenced by mass media in comparsion with themselves.  Example of: deliberate ignorance.  See also: simpleton's fallacy, trust your gut. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 639_lf
wishful thinking A tendency to belive something based on "what might be pleasing to imagine, rather than on evidence, rationality, or reality". [6], [30] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 364_cb
women are wonderful effect A tendency to "associate more positive attributes with women than with men". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 365_cb
work exploitation fallacy A mistaken belief that "employment is a form of exploitation".  A fallacy surrounding: capitalism. [27] 2024-07-15 2024-08-28 826_lf
worse-than-average effect A tendency to "believe ourselves to be worse than others at tasks which are difficult". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 366_cb
worst negates the bad be grateful for what you've got, worst negates the bad A fallacy in which it is claimed that "an objectively bad situation somehow isn't so bad simply because it could have been far worse, or because someone, somewhere has it even worse". [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-02 674_lf
worst-case fallacy an abundance of caution, better safe than sorry, better to prevent than to lament, just in case, we can't afford to take chances, worst-case fallacy A fallacy of pessimism with reasoning based on a far-fetched, unlikely, or even entirely imaginary worst-case scenario isntead of being based on reality. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 675_lf
xenophobia othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 904_lf
you also and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-11 2024-08-27 490_lf
you can't win if you don't play An obverse of: Hoyle's fallacy. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-07-05 676_lf
you do it too and you too, appeal to hypocrisy, tu quoque, two wrongs make a right, you also, you do it too An argument that something is acceptable because the opposition has also done it or an argument that an offered position must be false because the party putting it forth has not always acted in accordance with the position that they put forth.  A "corrupt argument form ethos".  A form of ad hominem.  See also: ego quoque, nos quoque. [1], [2], [3], [4] 2024-06-12 2024-08-27 905_lf
you speakee da english othering, otherizing, prejudice, racism, speakee fallacy, stereotyping, they're not like us, xenophobia, you speakee da english An argument in which facts are arbitrarily discarded due to a claim that another group of people are different from the in-group.  A "bady corrupted...argument from ethos".  A form of: ad hominem argument, argumentum ad hominem, argument toward the man, attacking the person, personal attack, poisoning the well.  See also: dehumanised perception, dehumanization. [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 677_lf
you're not the boss of me appeal to privacy, mind your own business, MYOB, none of yer beeswax, so what, you're not the boss of me A fallacy of preventing discussion of one's point by "drawing a phony curtian of privacy around oneself and one's actions".  A counterpart is: heart of darkness syndrome, I think we're alone now, nobody will ever know, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  [3] 2024-06-12 2024-06-26 907_lf
Zeigarnik effect A phenomenon in which "uncompleted or interrupted tasks are remembered better than completed ones". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 367_cb
zero tolerance broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance A fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 679_lf
zero-risk bias broken windows policing, disproportionate response, even one is too many, judenrein, exemplary punishment, zero-risk bias, zero tolerance As a cognitive bias, a "preference for reducing a small risk to zero over a greater reduction in a larger risk".  A form of: extension neglect.  As a logical fallacy, a fallacy of "declaring an 'emergency' and promising to disregard justice and due process and devote unlimited resources (and occasionally, unlimited cruelty) to stamp out a limited, insignificant or even nonexistent problem".  A "corrupt and cynical argument from pathos".  "Almost always politically driven."  A "sinister" form of dog whistle politics.  An example of: we have to do something (placebo effect, political theater, security theater, we have to send a message). [3], [6] 2024-06-12 2024-08-28 908_cb_lf
zero-sum bias A phenomenon in which "a situation is incorrectly perceived to be like a zero-sum game (i.e., one person gains at the expense of another)". [6] 2024-06-11 2024-08-26 369_cb_lf
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Clarification

Conceptually, cognitive biases are considered distinct from logical fallacies. The cb and lf suffixes in the id column roughly distinguish these categories. Logical fallacies represent argumentation errors, whereas cognitive biases describe mental tendencies that could result in processing errors. Both phenomenon types could result in errors in thought or decision. The list is combined for convenient lookups.

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