Critical Thinking
This page is out of service. When restored it will provide a very brief introduction to six of the standard errors in informal reasoning:
Ad Hominem Argument
Argument from Authority
Cum hoc Fallacy
False Dilemma
Fallacy of Division
Equivocation
There are MANY other resources on the Internet available that will help you understand these fallacies. Do not be deceived by the apparently simple nature of these fallacies. In actual arguments in politics, economics, ethics and ordinary speech, it is often very difficult to detect errors in informal reasoning. Some philosophers also question if these are truly fallacies at all. Be wary of resources that unequivocally identify any contemporary issues as resting on fallacies. Understanding them in-depth and making awareness of them a permanent part of your analytical skills is really a lifelong project. This page will be replaced in the future.