To start us off...maybe we can start thinking for ourselves a bit????
[b]Argumentum ad populum (Bandwagon Fallacy)[/b] The bandwagon fallacy works by having someone conform beliefs that are based on the popularity of their position. People who use this fallacy will attribute the popularity of their belief to also be validation to its truthfulness. Instead of conforming their belief based on evidence, they will instead be convinced that if the majority of people believe something to be true, then it must therefore be true.
Example: Sam: Why are you a Christian?
Julian: Well, there are over 2 billion Christians in the world. How can all those people be wrong? I'd rather side with the majority than with a fringe group of nonbelievers.
(Disclaimer: there is NO argument about any faith, including Christianity, this is not a slight on the Faith, just an example used: Justreplace with Muslim or Atheist or Jewish...thanks)
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Then, one of my favorites, used ALL the time, really muddies up the conversation and used to NOT discuss any evidence or accept testimony of those who do not wish to share their evidence...just criticism and attempt at intimidation.
[b] The Tu quoque Fallacy[/b] The tu quoque fallacy (Latin for "you also") is [b]an invalid attempt to discredit an opponent by answering criticism with criticism -- but never actually presenting a counterargument to the original disputed claim. [/b]
In the example below, Lola makes a claim. Instead of presenting evidence against Lola's claim, [u]John levels a claim against Lola.[/u] This attack doesn't actually help John succeed in proving Lola wrong, since [u]he doesn't address her original claim in any capacity.[/u]
Example: Lola: I don't think John would be a good fit to manage this project, because he doesn't have a lot of experience with project management.
John: But you don't have a lot of experience in project management either!
