PRINCIPLE-FIRST
The #1 rule of conflict management is to avoid people who constantly start conflicts (courtesy of Naval Ravikant).
The #2 rule is just because you can win an argument doesn’t necessarily mean you should. (I heard this marriage advice at a recent friend’s wedding.)
That said, you might cross paths with some bullies who spread misinformation for their own benefit. Or you’ll encounter well-intended people who don’t yet recognize their cognitive biases.
Today, I’ll help equip you with the skills to think freely, defend the truth, and uphold your values—should you choose.
I’ll show you 8 logical fallacies people may use to manipulate you (and how to counter them).
Let’s get started.
SUPERHUMAN SCORING
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that hurt the logic of an argument.
While they might seem persuasive initially, they often don’t stand up to close scrutiny.
Familiarity with common logical fallacies can help you recognize and avoid them in your own arguments and critically evaluate the arguments of others.
Here are 8 of the most common logical fallacies:
1. Ad Hominem: Attacking the opponent's character instead of their argument.
• Example: “Why would we listen to Steve’s ideas about computers? He dropped out of college!”
• Counter: “Steve’s educational background doesn't negate his knowledge or passion for computers. We should judge his ideas on their own merit.”
2. Straw Man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's position to make it easier to attack.
• Example: “People who prefer digital books obviously hate libraries and want to see them disappear.”
• Counter: “That's a misrepresentation. Preferring one medium doesn't mean rejecting the other. We can value both e-books and libraries.”
3. Slippery Slope: Arguing that a small action will inevitably lead to a series of significant negative consequences without providing evidence.
• Example: “If we start allowing people to work from home two days a week, before we know it, they'll want to work from home all the time, then they'll stop collaborating with their colleagues entirely.”
• Counter: “Allowing some flexibility in work location doesn't necessarily erode office culture. With proper communication tools and guidelines, teams can remain cohesive and productive regardless of where they work.”
4. Bandwagon Fallacy (Ad Populum): Arguing that something is true because many people believe it.
• Example: “Everyone I know thinks pineapple on pizza is good, so it must be.”
• Counter: “The popularity of a topping doesn't determine its taste. Let's consider individual preferences.”
5. Appeal to Authority (Ad Verecundiam): Using an authority as evidence for an argument's conclusion, especially when the authority is not relevant to the topic.
• Example: “The golf pro says this is the best soda brand, so it must be.”
• Counter: “While your golf instructor may have expertise in golf, that doesn't make them a nutrition expert. We should consult more relevant sources.”
6. False Dichotomy: Presenting only two options when there might be multiple possibilities.
• Example: “Either you like cats, or you're a dog person.”
• Counter: “It's possible to like both or neither. Liking one doesn't automatically exclude appreciation for the other.”
7. Red Herring: Introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the subject under discussion.
• Example: When asked about the quality of a smartphone's camera, someone starts discussing how heavy it feels.
• Counter: “Weight is a separate issue. Let's first discuss the camera's quality.”
8. False Cause: Claiming a relationship between two things based purely on correlation, not causation.
• Example: “Ice cream sales and shark attacks both increase in the summer, so ice cream causes shark attacks.”
• Counter: “These two events happening simultaneously doesn't mean one causes the other. Both may be related to the summer season but are not causally linked.”
Now, here are four steps to being a stronger debater:
1. Stay calm and objective: The moment you get emotional, you're more susceptible to making errors in reasoning and less likely to be persuasive. Take a deep breath and consider how you’d want the best version of yourself to show up.
2. Listen actively: Before countering an argument, ensure you understand it. Ask questions. This prevents straw man fallacies where you might misrepresent the other person's argument.
3. Research and prep: Familiarize yourself with logical fallacies (see the 8 common ones above) and equip yourself with topic knowledge.
Pro Tip: Ask AI what the other side's argument might be so you can strategize your counters in advance.
4. Structure your argument: Clear, structured arguments are more compelling. Lead with your strongest points. Remember: Facts are persuasive.
Maintenance
Try this exercise: Watch a political debate and try and spot all the fallacies!
If you want to dive deeper into how to think like a lawyer, I highly recommend the book The Tools of Argument by Joel P. Trachtman.
BRINGING IT HOME
Awareness is the first step to outsmart biases—in ourselves and others.
The next step?
Apply these insights to create a more empathetic, connected, and peaceful world.
and tell me how it went through 😉
