A guide through fallacies of sufficiency Each fallacy is given a definition and an example as well as a range of other names often ascribed to that fallacy based on common practice.

1. Includes:
fallacies of missing evidence
Causal fallacy
sufficiency criterion f

2. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
A recent study of 20 young women found that cat-
calling was prevalent, this concludes my evidence.
Why is this a fallacy?
Using only one piece of evidence, or a piece of
evidence without sufficient scope is not sufficient or
relevant evidence.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: insufficient sample
4 – Alternate Names: ‘fallacy of
insufficient statistics’, ‘hasty induction’.

3. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
A study of old men found that they dislike public
health care, so we as a society should pass this bill.
Why is this a fallacy?
The sampling of people is a very statistically robust
area and using data or evidence that does not meet
these criteria is not appropriate or relevant to a
debate.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: unrepresentative data
4 – Alternate Names: ‘biased sample’.

4. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
The evidence you have presented is irrelevant and
failing any new evidence I cannot honestly support
this bill.
Why is this a fallacy?
As the person putting forward an argument the
burden of proof is on you, denying or ignoring other
evidence does little to support your own arguments.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: arguing from ignorance
4 – Alternate Names: ‘argumentum ad ignoratiam’.

5. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
If we went back in time and I was prime minister of
Australia, my trade policies would have meant less
terrorism today.
Why is this a fallacy?
Speculation and hypothetical outcomes are not
logically sound as they are entirely made up.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: contrary-to-fact hypothesis
4 – Alternate Names: ‘counterfactual fallacy’,
‘speculative fallacy’.

6. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
As my nonna used to always say don’t count your
chickens before they have hatched, so we shouldn’t
invest in speculative mining.
Why is this a fallacy?
Aphorisms, clichés and folk wisdom and common
sense cannot replace actual evidence and
arguments.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: fallacy of popular wisdom
4 – Alternate Names: ‘argumentum ad
populum’.

7. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
You as a politician should not be spending the publics
tax dollars on your own transport, but me as prime
minister I must be allowed.
Why is this a fallacy?
Being consistent is important in all things but
especially in argument when you are trying to present
your most reasonable and consistent side.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: special pleading

8. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
There has been a generational, wide-reaching meta
analysis of this issue, but I would like us to focus on
the personal stories of real people.
Why is this a fallacy?
If there is key evidence on an issue you should
include it as a key aspect of your argument.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of missing evidence
3 – Fallacy Name: omission of key evidence
4 – Alternate Names: ‘fallacy of origin’,
‘fallacy of virtue.

9. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
If we open our borders and offer jobs to new arrivals
then we will become an economic superpower and a
peaceful country.
Why is this a fallacy?
The things required may be present but this doesn’t
mean that the event will occur.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: confusion of a necessary with a
sufficient conclusion

10. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
It was the heavy security and warm weather that
resulted in the mass shooting that occurred.
Why is this a fallacy?
No one thing or even multiple aspects can be blamed
for an event, causation is hard to prove and highly
complicated.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: causal oversimplification
4 – Alternate Names: ‘causal reductionism’, ‘fallacy
of the single cause’.

11. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
I lost my wallet and then my job, I am convinced if I
had not lost my wallet then all would be fine.
Why is this a fallacy?
The sequence of events does not mean they are
linked.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: post hoc fallacy
4 – Alternate Names: ‘post hoc ergo propter hoc’.

12. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
When you see me you always see tom, so I must
cause tom to appear.
Why is this a fallacy?
Just because you see something (the effect) it does
not necessarily mean you are aware of the cause.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: confusion of cause and effect

13. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
Australia's economy has gone into a recession and
unemployment is up, one must have caused the
other.
Why is this a fallacy?
There may be a common cause for two events but
that does not mean they are related.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: neglect of a common cause
4 – Alternate Names: ‘fallacy of origin’,
‘fallacy of virtue.

14. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
If we allow gay marriage to be legalised, what will
happen next, marrying animals, polygamy?
Why is this a fallacy?
One thing does not always lead to another, and
mostly the outcomes of things are very difficult to
model for or predict.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: domino fallacy
4 – Alternate Names: ‘camel’s nose’, ‘thin edge of
the wedge’, ‘absurd extrapolation’.

15. 1 – Category: sufficiency criterion
Example
I am on a roll today, so tomorrow I will also win big!
Why is this a fallacy?
Statistics show that chance does not follow patterns,
but that each chance occurrence has to be
considered by its own probability.
2 – Sub category: causal fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: gambler’s fallacy
4 – Alternate Names: ‘monte carlo fallacy’.