I. What is Begging the Question? Begging the Question is a form of logical fallacy that is based on assumptions. We assume that something is true and has weight even though it may have no legs to stand on. The premises of the argument presuppose the conclusion. Most arguments made without reference to specific factual evidence essentially “beg the question.” It is also known as a form of circular ... »
I. What is Appeal to Authority There are many types of fallacies that people often use in philosophical argumentation. Fallacies are arguments that seem at the surface level to make sense, but are not actually based on logic. One example of such a fallacy is called an appeal to authority. This is when you try to make the case for something because someone with authority either does or endorses the... »
I. What is Moralistic Fallacy? A moralistic fallacy could be any belief or argument that the world is as you think it should be, morally. An example of a moralistically fallacious belief is that because war is morally wrong, humans do not have any predispositions toward engaging in war. Looking to history for guidance, it can be seen that this is not true. Humans have been fighting for hundreds of... »
I. Definition The definist fallacy occurs when someone defines a concept in biased terms for the sake of an argument. The person making the argument hopes his or her audience will accept the provided definition, which makes the argument difficult to refute. The phrase was first coined in 1939 by William Frankena in reference to G. E. Moore’s Naturalistic Fallacy in which Moore claimed that “good” ... »
I. Definition An accident fallacy is an error in reasoning caused by sweeping generalizations. It occurs when you assume that a rule-of-thumb applies to everyone or every situation, including obvious exceptions. While generalizing helps make the world easier to understand, often generalizations do not apply to every situation. An accident fallacy is using such a generalization to draw an incorrect... »
I. Definition Absolutism refers to the idea that reality, truth, or morality is “absolute”— the same for everybody, everywhere, and every-when, regardless of individual culture or cognition, or different situations or contexts. If you believe that truths are always true, or that there is an objective reality, you are an absolutist. Some people think that absolutism implies a belief that all truths... »
I. Definition An argument is a series of statements with the goal of persuading someone of something. When they’re successful, arguments start with a specific point of view, something that the reader doubts; by the end of the argument, the reader has been convinced and no longer doubts this view. In order to argue well, you have to put yourself in the reader’s position and imagine what doubts they... »
I. Definition Atheism means “lack of a belief in gods” or “a belief that there is no god.” But, atheists are not necessarily anti-spiritual, anti-religion, or immoral; many atheists believe that atheism can provide a better foundation for morality and a meaningful life than theism (belief in a god or gods) Originally, in ancient Greek, atheism meant “without god” (a-theos) in the sense of impious... »
I. Definition Conscience is a faculty of the mind that motivates us to act morally—or at least according to our most deeply held values. Most say it is a form of intuition and uses emotion, although others have argued that it should be shaped by reason. It is a private experience, and a form of self-knowledge; from one’s conscience one can learn one’s own values and morals. This is the root of ... »
I. Definition The Buddha taught that one should observe the results of one’s actions, reduce those actions that lead to suffering, and increase those that lead to happiness. This is one form of consequentialism — the philosophy that one should always do whatever will lead to the best consequences. You may have heard the consequentialist motto “the end justifies the means.” Which ends justi... »