“Harvard study says” isn’t good enough Good Morning! Let’s continue talking about critical thinking! This is part of my Critical Thinking series of essays – you can find the link… Read More
Most debates have more than two options “Either we let AI run completely unregulated, or we ban it entirely.” That isn’t a choice between two options. It’s a choice between… Read More
Attacking the person doesn’t address the argument Let’s say you make an argument about something – could be anything, healthcare policy, a restaurant recommendation, whatever. And the response you get… Read More
Sequence is not the same as causation The rooster crows, then the sun rises. Therefore the rooster’s crowing causes the sunrise. Obviously absurd. People make this exact mistake constantly with… Read More
You made the claim – now prove it Somebody on the internet says vaccines cause autism. Somebody else asks for evidence. The response – “prove they don’t.” No. That’s not… Read More
What’s true of the parts isn’t automatically true of the whole These are two mirror-image fallacies, which is why they make sense to cover together. Fallacy of Composition – assuming… Read More
Why the rules that apply to everyone else apparently don’t apply here There’s a speed limit on somebody’s street. Everyone follows it. Except the one neighbor who drives 45 in… Read More
One step doesn’t inevitably lead to catastrophe – show the mechanism “If we allow same-sex marriage, next people will want to marry animals.” “If we legalize marijuana, everyone will be… Read More
Changing the evidence standard so nothing ever qualifies Climate scientists show temperature records. “That’s just weather patterns.” They show decades of data. “Could be natural cycles.” They demonstrate the mechanism… Read More
The truth is not always in the middle Two people are arguing. One says the earth is round. One says the earth is flat. A mediator steps in. “Let’s be… Read More
When a word quietly changes meaning in the middle of an argument “Nothing is better than happiness.” “A sandwich is better than nothing.” “Therefore, a sandwich is better than happiness.”… Read More
Complex problems have multiple causes – pretending otherwise leads to failed solutions Homelessness is caused by drug addiction. Homelessness is caused by lack of affordable housing. Homelessness is caused by… Read More