Logical Arguments

While the debate on Copyright Infringement continues over on Scott Adams‘ blog, one of the comments made me laugh, so I thought I’d infringe a little myself - here’s a verbatim copy :-)

Amazingly Bad Analogy
Example: You can train a dog to fetch a stick. Therefore, you can train a potato to dance.

Faulty Cause and Effect
Example: On the basis of my observations, wearing huge trousers makes you fat.

I am the World
Example: I don’t listen to country music. Therefore, country music is not popular.

Generalizing from Self
Example: I’m a liar. Therefore, I don’t believe what you’re saying.

Total Logical Disconnect
Example: I enjoy pasta because my house is made of bricks.

Judging Things Without Comparison to Alternatives
Example: I don’t invest in US Treasury bills. There’s too much risk.

Ignorance of statistics
Example: I’m putting ALL of my money on the lottery this week because the jackpot is so big.

Irrelevant Comparisons
Example: A hundred dollars is a good price for a toaster, compared to buying a Ferrari.

Incompleteness as Proof of Defect
Example: Your theory of gravity doesn’t address the question of why there are no unicorns, so it must be wrong.

Following the Advice of Known Idiots
Example: Uncle Billy says pork makes you smarter. That’s good enough for me!

Faulty Pattern Recognition
Example: His last six wives were murdered mysteriously. I hope to be wife number seven.

Failure to Recognise what’s Important
Example: My house is on fire! Quick, call the post office and tell them to hold my mail!

Ignoring all Anecdotal Evidence
Example: I always get hives immediately after eating strawberries. But withouta scientifically controlled experiment, it’s not reliable data. So I continue to eat strawberries every day, since I can’t tell if they cause hives.

Inability to Understand That Some Things Have Multiple Causes
Example: The Beatles were popular for one reason only: They were good singers.

Judging the Whole by One of Its Characteristics
Example: The sun causes sunburns. Therefore, the planet would be better off without the sun.

Taking Things to Their Illogical Conclusion
Example: If you let your barber cut your hair, the next thing you know he’ll be lopping off your limbs!

Proof by Lack of Evidence
Example: I’ve never seen you drunk, so you must be one of those Amish people.

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