Running Head: LOGICAL FALLACIES

Logical Fallacies
Name
Institution

LOGICAL FALLACIES

Logical Fallacies
An argument encompasses statements having facts to support an individuals point of
view. The use of correct reasons in an argument defines the logic of an argument. The
basis of an argument focuses to strongly bring out a conclusion of given statements.
As a result of trying to bring out the conclusion, there arises flaws in the arguments.
This flaws are collectively referred to as fallacies. There are various types of fallacies,
few of which are highlighted in this essay. The four types of logical fallacies
highlighted in this essay include; Appeal to authority, Popular Appeal, Anecdotal
evidence, and generalization (Windshuttle & Elliot, 1994).
1. Appeal to authority
In an effort to add more weight to an argument, an individual (a non expert) may
use the opinions of a well known expert in the subject of the argument. This turns
out to be a fallacy since the individual presenting the views is a non-expert and lacks
legitimate authority over the subject matter (Windshuttle & Elliot, 1994). For instance
an individual debating about a piece of literature presents views of well-known
literacy critic or writer and consequently, the opponents take his statements seriously.
2. Popular Appeal
This type of logical fallacy puts weight on the popularity of a proposition or a premise
to ascertain truthfulness. An individual argues that since the phenomena, or the brand
is popular, then it can be said or taken to be right (Windshuttle & Elliot, 1994). For
instance, it is popularly known that the earth is flat, though scientific facts shows that
the earth is not flat. Thus an individual may conclude that the earth is flat since a large
percentage of people believe its flat. This becomes a fallacy since it is not based on
facts.
3. Anecdotal evidence

LOGICAL FALLACIES

An individual may try to bring out a conclusion and generalize his proposition basing
on a single experience. The individual uses the instances of an event to refute of
support a claim (Windshuttle & Elliot, 1994). For instance an individual estimating
the population of Americans by only using the NBA all-star team.
4. Generalization
There is commitment of a fallacy when an individual makes a conclusion about a
given population without having analyzing a sufficient population sample
(Windshuttle & Elliot, 1994). For instance, opinions of one individual (from America)
asked about gun control being taken as the stand of all Americans.
It is important for accounting graduates to be aware of fallacious arguments since it
helps them to identify various types of fallacies, and fix the flaws in the argument.

LOGICAL FALLACIES

References
Windshuttle, & Elliot. (1994). In Writing, researching and ommunicating :
communicating skills for the information age. Logic and argument, 312-356.