Informal fallacy facts for kids

An informal fallacy is a mistake in a logical argument. It happens when the ideas (called premises) used to support a point don't actually prove it. These mistakes often come from errors in how someone thinks or reasons. The ideas are then wrongly connected to the final statement (called the conclusion).

Unlike a formal fallacy (which is about the argument's structure), an informal fallacy is about the meaning or content. It's about how ideas are connected. Because we use everyday language, we can say things that formal logic can't easily show. In informal fallacies, the ideas don't truly lead to the conclusion. This makes the argument not valid. This often happens because there's a hidden idea that isn't stated. If that hidden idea were said, the argument might seem valid.

What is an Informal Fallacy?

An informal fallacy is a type of error in an argument. Imagine someone is trying to convince you of something. They give you reasons (premises). Then they state what they want you to believe (the conclusion). If their reasons don't actually lead to that conclusion, it's an informal fallacy. The mistake isn't in the argument's shape, but in its meaning.

How They Happen

Informal fallacies happen because of a mistake in reasoning. The person making the argument might connect ideas in a way that seems right but isn't. They might use words unclearly or try to trick you. It's like building a bridge where the pieces don't quite fit together. The bridge might look okay, but it won't hold up.

Deductive vs. Inductive Fallacies

Arguments can be either deductive or inductive. Informal fallacies can happen in both types.

Deductive Informal Fallacies

In a deductive argument, the conclusion is supposed to be absolutely true if the premises are true. If there's an informal fallacy in a deductive argument, it means the premises don't guarantee the conclusion. There's a missing link. For example, if someone says:

• All cats have fur.
• My dog has fur.
• Therefore, my dog is a cat.

This is a deductive informal fallacy. The premises don't make the conclusion true. The hidden idea might be "Only cats have fur," which is false.

Inductive Informal Fallacies

Inductive arguments are different. They don't promise that the conclusion is definitely true. Instead, they suggest the conclusion is likely based on the evidence. An informal fallacy in an inductive argument means the evidence isn't strong enough. The connection between the premises and the conclusion is weak.

Hasty Generalization

A common inductive informal fallacy is called a hasty generalization. This happens when someone makes a big statement based on too little evidence. For example:

• You meet two people from a new town, and they are both very friendly.
• You conclude: "Everyone in that town must be friendly!"

This is a hasty generalization. You're taking a small sample (two people) and applying it to a whole group (everyone in town). If you haven't met enough people to truly represent the town, your conclusion is likely wrong.

Why Understanding Fallacies Matters

Learning about informal fallacies helps you think more clearly. It helps you spot bad arguments, whether you hear them from friends, in the news, or online. Being able to identify these errors helps you make better decisions and understand the world around you. It's a key part of critical thinking.

See also

In Spanish: Falacia informal para niños