MPC Autumn 2016: Key logical fallacies to be aware of Logical fallacy | Example argument and critique of argument | Argument base on analogy: To argue by analogy is to argue that because two things are similar, what is true of one is also true of the other. | Fallacy: Democracy does not work in a family. Parents should have the ultimate say because they are wiser and their children do not know what is best for themselves. Similarly the best form of government for a society is not a democratic one but one where the leaders are more like parents. Explanation of why the argument is a fallacy: There are many relevant ways in which a family is different from a society. First, the government officials need not be wiser than the citizens. Also, many parents might care for their children out of love and affection but government officials might not always have the interests of the people at heart. | Ad homenem: A theory is discarded not because of any evidence against it or lack of evidence for it, but because of the person who argues for it. | Fallacy: Consider the following exchange, where person B uses an Ad homenem fallacy.Person A argues: The Government should enact minimum-wage legislation so that workers are not exploited.Person B enacts fallacious rebuttal: Nonsense. You say that only because you cannot find a good job.Explanation of why the argument is a fallacy: Person B might be correct, but equally, might not be correct. In this case Person B assumes that because Person A would benefit from an increased minimum-wage, their view cannot be trusted. | Appeal to popularity (ad populum): The truth of a claim is established only on the basis of its popularity and familiarity. This is the fallacy committed by many commercials [and consultants]. | Fallacy: It is OK to not to declare any income paid in cash to the tax department because everyone is doing it.