A Leap in Logic

When taking a stroll along the beach, I always have to watch the firmness of my position. While the sand may look inviting and beautiful, there may not be any real substance beneath. I must always watch my step carefully so I don’t stumble and fall.

An argument works the same way. When constructing an argument, it’s tempting to fall into logical traps that may seem sensible at first. However, when viewed closely, this kind of reasoning doesn’t make any real logical sense. These are called logical fallacies, and they should be avoided in formal writing.

There are many different kinds of logical fallacies. Some of these fallacies are more noticeable than others. Some may feel emotionally true, but aren’t logically valid. Some may even have valid uses, but not in the context that you’re writing for. However, all of them can undermine the strength of your argument. While there are too many different fallacies to cover them all in this entry, I’ll mention two of the more common ones.

Circular reasoning: A claim that repeats itself as an attempt to justify the claim. For example, avoid arguments such as “circular reasoning is bad because it’s circular.” This doesn’t prove anything to the reader. In contrast, the claim that “circular reasoning is bad because it recycles ideas without explaining them” is a valid approach. Always support an argument with new ideas and logical explanation.

Slippery slope: A claim that suggests that a specific chain of events will happen if a specific action is taken. This is a tempting fallacy because this is also the premise of the cause-effect essay. However, it becomes a slippery slope when the argument doesn’t prove how and why the chain of events would take place. If you plan to use a cause-effect argument, it must be explained to be valid.

The best way to avoid fallacious arguments is by carefully reviewing the argument you’re making. While a claim might seem to make sense, it might fall apart under careful inspection. Make certain you’re arguing with valid and logical points, and beware the tempting logical traps.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!