Confronting Sophistry is a video series about critical thinking, self-education and deconstructing the techniques of those who seek to control our mental processes.
In this episode, host and producer Jeff DeRiso talks about the 6 most common logical fallacies, and how we can recognize and dismantle them. Logical fallacies are the foundation of sophistry and understanding them is the key to changing the thought paradigm of the world.
1. False Dichotomy
Person X and Person Y have a disagreement.
Person X is proven to be incorrect.
Therefore, Person Y must be correct.
2. Ad Hominem
Person A is proven incorrect about Conclusion X.
Therefore, every conclusion Person A makes is incorrect.
3. Ad Hominem (alternate version)
Person A reaches Conclusion X by irrational means.
Therefore, Conclusion X must be false.
4. Appeal to Authority
Person A is an authority on Subject X.
Therefore, any conclusion drawn by Person A regarding Subject X is correct.
5. Ad populum (appeal to majority)
A majority of people believe Conclusion X.
Therefore, Conclusion X must be true.
6. Straw man
Presenting the weakest form of an opponent's argument in order to appear to easily dispute it.
Other common logical fallacies not discussed in this video
Non sequitur: A logical fallacy in which an argument's conclusion does not follow from its premise.
Begging the question: An attempt to prove a proposition by using an argument that takes the proposition for granted.
I strive to continuously improve my understanding of logic and philosophy. If you have corrections or constructive criticisms to offer, I welcome them openly.