CHAPTER 10 FALLACIES: WHAT'S A FAULTY ARGUMENT?

Misleading euphemisms are words that hide meaning by wrappping a less acceptable idea in positive or neutral connotations. The use of euphemisms is fallacious in an argument when the goal is to be evasive, to mislead, or to disarm awareness and objections. Appeals to fear and pity seek to persuade through affecting emotions rather than through sound rational support for an argument. Appeal to false authority seeks to influence others ny citing fake or inappropriate authorities. This false authority might be a person, a tradition, or convetional wisdom. Personal attack refutes another argument by attacking the opponent rather than addressing th argument itself. The red herring is a ploy of distraction. It makes a claim, then instead of following through with support, it minimizes the issue or/diverts attention into irrelevent issues.