Logical Phallic Symbol

July 28, 2010 6:25 PM

I'd like to familiarize myself better with logical fallacies, but every guide I've come across is too technical. Are there any sources with plain-spoken, relatable language out there?
posted by Christ, what an asshole to Human Relations (14 answers total)

Here's a list with examples.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:31 PM on July 28, 2010

the link sean posted is to an apologetics group, FYI, from their FAQ:

Who/What is CARM? - CARM is several people who help keep it running. Matt Slick who is the founder and president; Ryan Turner a researcher and writer; Diane Sellner who runs the discussion boards and chat room.

Why this site? - To equip Christians with the truth, to expose the error of false religious systems, evolution, to teach apologetics, help Christians defend the faith, and to glorify the Lord Jesus.

You may want to learn about logical fallacies from a group that does not define itself principally in terms of opposition to evolution and quote-unquote false religious systems. I teach Logic, I will dig up some links for you tonight and post them, but in the interim this looks like a decent place to start: http://www.logicalfallacies.info/. Also Wikipedia can be helpful here.
posted by joe lisboa at 6:48 PM on July 28, 2010

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe has this Top 20 list.
posted by Laura in Canada at 6:52 PM on July 28, 2010

A Rulebook for Arguments is short enough that Appendix 1, "Some Common Fallacies", begins on page 73 and ends on page 79 - all of which happens to be visible through Amazon's "Look Inside This Book" feature. It's a wonderful, concise book and I think most people would find it useful.

"Arguments" is used in the title in the "putting forth an argument" sense; it's not a book about conflict.
posted by amtho at 6:53 PM on July 28, 2010

This book is fantastic.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 6:59 PM on July 28, 2010

Sorry if this is too obvious, but Wikipedia's list of Logical Fallacies is a good source. You can click on each individual fallacy that you're interested in and get fairly comprehensive explanations and easy-to-understand examples.
posted by amyms at 7:47 PM on July 28, 2010

I love love love this page:

http://www.fallacyfiles.org/taxonomy.html

..
posted by DavidandConquer at 8:44 PM on July 28, 2010 [1 favorite]

oops, missed the link there...click here

:)
posted by DavidandConquer at 8:45 PM on July 28, 2010

You will definitely remember these logical fallacies after reading this story. They will stick with you a long time!
posted by xdvesper at 9:43 PM on July 28, 2010

The Nizkor project's fallacies page is often recommended.
posted by tallus at 10:27 PM on July 28, 2010

BIG ditto to i_am_joe's_spleen's recommendation. The American version is called "How to Think Straight." It's been out of publication for decades but can be found for relatively cheap at the usual places. Well, well worth it. No Latin names to be found.
posted by 1adam12 at 1:30 AM on July 29, 2010

An important book dealing with logical fallacies of a particular type is "The Demon Haunted World" by Carl Sagan, which deals with the logical fallacies of pseudo-science.
posted by grizzled at 6:14 AM on July 29, 2010

In my highschool philosophy class we were assigned Logical Self-Defence by Johnson and Blair which was a fantastic resource that ran through each of the basic fallacies in plain language, illustrating them with examples from real newspaper editorials and letters to the editor. Not sure if it's available on Amazon or Chapters/Indigo but have a look because it was super-helpful in teaching me these concepts.
posted by Pomo at 6:49 AM on July 29, 2010

I used to teach out of With Good Reason, and found it a straightforward, easy book for students to understand.
posted by Philbo at 11:26 AM on July 29, 2010