logical fallacy

logical fallacy

English

Alternative forms

• logic fallacy

Noun

logical fallacy (plural logical fallacies)

1. A fallacy; a clearly defined error in reasoning used to support or refute an argument, excluding simple unintended mistakes.

   "You can't prove Santa doesn't exist, therefore Santa does exist", is a common logical fallacy.

2. A formal fallacy.[1]

   A valid syllogism contains three terms; with four it commits the logical fallacy known as quaternio terminorum.

Translations

clearly defined error in reasoning

Czech: logický klam m Italian: errore logico, falso ragionamento, sofisma (it)

Macedonian: логичка грешка (logička greška) Tagalog: matwiraning kasinsayan

See also

• informal fallacy

References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica (1911), "Fallacy".