Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

An ad hominem attack targets a person’s character instead of addressing their argument.

A logical fallacy that argues a claim is true because many people believe it.

Accepting a claim as true solely because an authority figure endorses it, without evaluating the evidence.

A causal fallacy wrongly assumes one event causes another without sufficient evidence.

An argument where the conclusion is included in the premise, offering no actual evidence.

Analyzing data excessively or selectively until statistically significant but spurious patterns emerge.

Assuming that because one event follows another, the first caused the second without sufficient evidence.

A logical fallacy that presents two options as the only possibilities when others exist.

A slippery slope fallacy claims a small step will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without proof.

Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack or refute.