I Think, Therefore I am (Cogito, ergo sum) or "I know you are but what am I"

Have you ever taken a formal logic class in the past? To be honest, I’ve never taken a formal philosophy, critical thinking, or logic class until recently. It was worth it as I improved my critical thinking skills. I found learning and identifying logical fallacies to be interesting and fun.

Everyone who has taken beginner's logic knows the old school fallacies - Non sequitur, Ad hoc post proctor ergo hoc; and in English: Appeal to Emotion/Fear, Begging the Question, Red Hearing, Slippery Slope, Straw Man, etc. Knowing the names of logical fallacies seems to make us smarter, however; knowing them in Latin, no doubt makes us seem brilliant and sparkles up our repartee.

It's not too hard to find examples of logical fallacies as impassioned people debate the hot issues: Iraq War, abortion, stem cell research, evolution, and intelligent design. I' ll have to take a closer look at the presidential candidates' debates. Anyway, I will periodically post recent examples of logical fallacies as I find them. If anything, it will help improve my critical thinking skills by learning, identifying, and avoiding the logical fallacy trap(s) that folks can fall into as they argue a position.

In the mean time here are a few new logical fallacies I came across. Learn these nifty phrases and start deploying them in all kinds of mundane household discussions; use them on your friends and family:

1) Plurium Stupidium: Fallacy of Much Stupidity. Consists of several stupid comments improperly grouped into one. Often, a single refutation is expected against all the nonsense.

Examples:

"Gas prices are so low today that I think I'll fill every container in my house to make my own strategic oil reserve by stockpiling all the gas in that nook next to the fireplace."

"We should let women rule the world because they drive cars better."

2) Petitio Kapowio: Fallacy of Begging to get Socked in the Nose. Consists of defending a position in a really irritating way, such that the opponent has no choice but to point out the logical error in a very physical and satisfying fashion.

Examples:

"Bring it, punk."

"Well, I'm right, and that's just how it is."

"Why are you REALLY arguing with me? Is it because you're scared?"

3) Consensus Minoritum: Appeal to Minority. The inverse of Appeal to the People (Argumentum ad Populum). Consists of an argument supported by its own lack of support.

Examples:

"That's what they all say. I can't believe you fell for it, too."

"The court ruled 8-1. The dissenting opinion, however, has some very choice arguments in support of my position."

4) Argumentum Dementum: Fallacy of Arguing from a Position or State of Dementia. Consists of arguments which accidentally make no sense and are not the fault of the arguments themselves. Argumentum Dementum is a very hard fallacy to spot.

Examples:

Major Premise: All cats are animals.
Minor Premise: Ginger is an animal.
Conclusion: Teeheehee!

"Due to my incredible good looks, remarkable intelligence, contagious charisma, discriminating good taste, and skill with a joystick, I will take over the world at this time tomorrow, and anyone who wants to stop me can ... teeheehee!"

A = B
B = C
Therefore, A = Teeheehee!

5) Refutatum ad Mortem: Fallacy of Arguing a Point to the Death. Consists of an argument issued from the mouth of one who has been arguing so long he no longer knows what he is saying.

Examples:

"I'm not sure what you just said because my ears are ringing so loud from all the caffeine, but I'm sure it's wrong."

"Just oooooooooooooooooooone more jelly donut. Then I'll stop. This time I mean it. I'm really going to stop."

"Medicare, Medicaid, and the environment ... Medicare, Medicaid, and the environment ... Medicare, Medicaid, and the environment ..."

6) Argumentum ad Baculum Squidium Magnus: Fallacy of Fear of Giant Squid. Consists of an emotional appeal involving a giant squid; this fallacy typically involves said squid falling from the sky. Also known as Secundum Squid.

Examples:

"I would love to get a driver's license, but I don't want to risk having a giant squid fall on me in the middle of the test."

"You're so obsessed with people starving in Africa. What about those poor people in Kansas City? Why, a giant squid could gobble them up at any moment!"