Five Common Thinking Errors



1. Non Sequiturs
A Non Sequitur (Latin for "it does not follow) happens when two or more premises do not support the conclusion drawn from them.

Ex 1: Premise: Sam supports Barack Obama.
Premise: Sam is a Republican.
Conclusion: Barack Obama is a Republican.

Ex 2: Premise: God is all knowing.
Premise: God created humans in his image.
Conclusion: Humans are all knowing.

In example one, the writer guesses that since Sam supports a Barack Obama and Sam is a Republican then Barack Obama must be a Republican. This conclusion is very wrong since Barack Obama is a Democrat. None of the premises can directly point to Barack Obama being a Republican, only that Sam is a Republican and likes Barack Obama. These premises do not support their conclusion, thus a non sequitur is formed.
Additional examples/ further explanation of non sequiturs


False and Vague Premises

A false or vague premises are similar to non sequiturs in that the conclusion does not correlate with the premises. However, a false or vague premise occurs when a premise is entirely wrong or too general to be a valid premise.

Ex 1: Premise: Men sin.
(vague)Premise: Jesus is a man.
Conclusion: Jesus sins.

Ex 2 : Premise: Catholics are people.
(false) Premise: People are all insane.
Conclusion: Catholics are all insane.

In example one, the writer makes the mistake of vaguely saying Jesus is a man and not including that Jesus is not just a man. This vague premise leads to a wrong conclusion. In example two, the writer makes a very incorrect premise that all humans are insane. With this premise, the writer concludes that all catholics are insane and this is very untrue.


Ad Hominem
An Ad Hominem (Latin for "against the person") occurs when one in a arguement attacks their opponent verbally because they are unsure of a point raised by the opponent. Example: Sam and a dog trainer are argueing about running. Sam says that all runners are tall and skinny. The dog trainer counters by saying that some runners are short and thick. Sam realizes his mistake and does not know how to counter the dog trainer by saying "You are just a dog trainer, you do not know anything." Sam attacks the dog trainer because he cannot counter the trainer's statement therefore he commits an ad hominem. Additional examples/ further explanation of Ad Hominems


Begging the Question
One begs the question when one tries to prove a point true by supporting it with a statement already assuming the point is true.

Ex 1: Sam- The Earth is the center of the universe because the sun revolves around it.
Trevor- How do you know the sun revolves around the Earth?
Sam- Because the Earth is the center of the Earth.

Ex 2: Sam- The Earth is flat because the map shows it that way.
Trevor- How do you know the map is right?
Sam- Because the Earth is flat.

In both statements, Sam is begging the question because the validity of both of his initial statements are supported by statements assuming the initial statement is true. In both cases he is wrong.
Additional explanation/ examples of begging the question


Red Herrings
A red herring is a tactic used when one does not want to be proved wrong and become embarrassed. To commit a red herring, one says an offensive statement or changes the topic to distract the audience he or she is argueing with. The intent is to deflect all attention from a question or point that one cannot support to a different topic.
Examples of red herrings

By Brian Lickenbrock
Blbrock92@yahoo.com
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