Logical fallacies are common errors in reasoning that can undermine the strength of an argument. Two such fallacies, “non sequitur” and “masked-man,” are often used to manipulate or persuade others.
Non Sequitur
A non sequitur is a Latin phrase that means “it does not follow.” This fallacy occurs when a conclusion does not logically follow from the premises. In other words, the argument is irrelevant or unconnected.
Example:
- “I like ice cream. Therefore, I should be a politician.”
This argument is a non sequitur because there is no logical connection between liking ice cream and being a politician.
Masked-Man
The masked-man fallacy, also known as the “substitution of identicals,” occurs when someone assumes that two things are identical simply because they have the same properties.
Example:
- “I know that John is wearing a mask. I also know that the masked man robbed the bank. Therefore, John robbed the bank.”
This argument is a masked-man fallacy because it assumes that just because two individuals have the same property (wearing a mask), they must be the same person.
Both non sequitur and masked-man fallacies can be difficult to spot, as they often appear to be valid arguments at first glance. However, by carefully examining the premises and conclusion, you can identify these fallacies and avoid being misled by faulty reasoning.