Informal Logic 101

I have grouped the links to all entries of my multi-part series on informal logic into one place for your convenience (though a search on “informal logic” would give you a nice list of links, too)…

How to Think and Argue Better

Part 1: Firm Foundation

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God’s logic vs. Man’s logic

Eastern logic vs. Western logic

Three Foundational Laws of Logic (Law of Noncontradiction, Law of Excluded Middle, Law of Identity)

Part 2: Propositions and Logical Relationships

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Four Categorical Propositions (Universal affirmative proposition, Universal negative proposition, Particular affirmative proposition, Particular negative proposition)

Four Types of Logical Relationships (Contradictory, Contrary, Subcontrary, Subalternation)

Part 3: Logical Suicide and Staying on TRACK

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Introduction to the idea of “self-referentially absurd” statements

Helpful TRACK mnemonic

Part 4: Three Ways to Argue

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Deductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning

Abductive reasoning

Part 5: Facts Over Feelings

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“Argumentum ad baculum” fallacy

“Argumentum ad misericordiam” fallacy

“Argumentum ad populum” fallacy

Genetic fallacy

Part 6: Avoiding Presumptions

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“Wishful thinking” fallacy

“Petitio principii” (aka “Begging the question”) fallacy

“Complex question” fallacy

Part 7: Causes and Comparisons

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“Post hoc, ergo propter hoc” fallacy

“Non causa pro causa” fallacy

“Oversimplified cause” fallacy

“Slippery slope” fallacy

“Faulty analogy” fallacy

Part 8: Validity and Clarity

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“Argumentum ad vericundiam” fallacy

“Argumentum ad ignorantiam” fallacy

“Hasty generalization” fallacy

“Equivocation” fallacy

“Amphiboly” fallacy

Part 9: Apples, Oranges, and Character Assassination

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