Can a fallacious argument be true?
Asked by: Eldora Nikolaus | Last update: September 20, 2025Score: 5/5 (14 votes)
A fallacious argument, just as with a false
Can an argument that contains a fallacy be believable?
An argument that contains a fallacy can be believable. Consider the following example of a fallacy, and complete parts (a) through (c) below. (False cause) I became sick just hours after eating at Burger Hut, so its food must have made me sick. I became sick soon after eating at Burger Hut.
Are fallacious arguments invalid?
Formal fallacies are arguments that are defective because they have invalid argument forms. But while all invalid arguments are fallacious, it is not the case that all fallacious arguments are invalid. Indeed, many fallacious arguments have valid argument forms.
Can an invalid argument be true?
In other words, an invalid argument may have one or more false premises and a true conclusion (consider J and L). Since a valid argument does not guarantee the preservation of falsity (consider 1 and K), we can say that no argument guarantees that if one or more of its premises is false then so is its conclusion.
Are fallacies always false?
When fallacies are used, the premise should be recognized as not well-grounded, the conclusion as unproven (but not necessarily false), and the argument as unsound.
19 Common Fallacies, Explained.
Can a logical fallacy be true?
A fallacious argument, just as with a false antecedent, can still have a consequent that happens to be true. The fallacy is in concluding the consequent of a fallacious argument has to be false. That the argument is fallacious only means that the argument cannot succeed in proving its consequent.
Can a fallacy be a mistake?
Fallacies are mistakes of reasoning, as opposed to making mistakes that are of a factual nature. If I counted twenty people in the room when there were in fact twenty-one, then I made a factual mistake. On the other hand, if I believe that there are round squares I believe something that is contradictory.
Can an argument be valid but untrue?
A valid argument may still have a false conclusion. When we construct our arguments, we must aim to construct one that is not only valid, but sound. A sound argument is one that is not only valid, but begins with premises that are actually true.
What is a cogent argument?
A cogent argument is by definition non-deductive, which means that the premises are intended to establish probable (but not conclusive) support for the conclusion. Furthermore, a cogent argument is strong, so the premises, if they were true, would succeed in providing probable support for the conclusion.
What is an example of an invalid syllogism?
An example of a valid syllogism is: All M is P, All S is M, All S is P; an example of an invalid syllogism is: All M is P, Some S is M9 No S is P; an example of a neither valid nor invalid syllogism is: All P is M, All S is M, Some S is not P.
What is a fallacious argument?
One widely accepted definition defines a fallacious argument as one that either is deductively invalid or is inductively very weak or contains an unjustified premise or that ignores relevant evidence that is available and that should be known by the arguer.
Can a fallacy have a true conclusion?
If an argument contains a fallacy it only means that the argument is an invalid way to reach the conclusion, not that the conclusion would necessarily have to be false.
Why is begging the question a fallacy?
The fallacy of begging the question occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion, instead of supporting it. In other words, you assume without proof the stand/position, or a significant part of the stand, that is in question. Begging the question is also called arguing in a circle.
Can a fallacious argument be valid?
A formal fallacy is a flaw in the structure of a deductive argument that renders the argument invalid, while an informal fallacy originates in an error in reasoning other than an improper logical form. Arguments containing informal fallacies may be formally valid, but still fallacious.
Is true or false if an argument contains a fallacy then it Cannot be persuasive?
In fact, many people are persuaded by fallacious arguments because they do not identify the fallacy within the argument. Fallacies are often the last effort of uninformed or ill-prepared speakers who find that they have nothing better to say.
What is the red herring fallacy?
This fallacy consists in diverting attention from the real issue by focusing instead on an issue having only a surface relevance to the first.
Can an argument be strong but not cogent?
An cogent (inductive) argument is one that is both strong and has true premises. An uncogent (inductive) argument is either a weak argument or a strong argument with a false premise. Every argument with a valid form is valid, but strength is not ensured by form.
Can inductive arguments be valid?
All deductive arguments provide conclusive evidence for their conclusions. All inductive arguments provide the best available evidence for their conclusions. Some inductive arguments are valid. All inductive arguments involve risk and have uncertain conclusions, but some are stronger than others.
What is an unsound argument?
If an argument is both valid and has all true premises, we will say that the argument is sound. An argument is unsound if it either has a false premise, or is invalid.
Can logical arguments be true or false?
A logical argument is valid if its conclusion follows from the premises, and it is sound if it is valid and all of its premises are true. A false or deceptive argument is called a fallacy. Many types of fallacies are so common that they have been named.
Is an invalid argument a fallacy?
Logical fallacies make an argument weak by using mistaken beliefs/ideas, invalid arguments, illogical arguments, and/or deceptiveness.
Can an invalid argument have all true statements in it?
TRUE. All invalid arguments are such that it is possible for them to have true premises and a false conclusion; and some invalid arguments actually do have all true premises and a false conclusion.
Are fallacies true?
Simply put, a logical fallacy is a flaw in reasoning that, despite having no bearing at all on a claim's actual merit, can – very confusingly – make that claim sound more convincing. Using a logical fallacy doesn't necessarily mean someone is wrong.
What does strawmanning mean?
A straw man fallacy (sometimes written as strawman) is the informal fallacy of refuting an argument different from the one actually under discussion, while not recognizing or acknowledging the distinction.
What is the psychogenetic fallacy?
Psychogenetic Fallacy: if you learn the psychological reason why your opponent likes an argument, then he's biased, so his argument must be wrong.