This document defines and provides examples of logical fallacies, including the appeal to force fallacy. It explains that an appeal to force fallacy involves using threats of coercion or harm instead of a valid reason in an argument. The document categorizes fallacies and discusses formal and informal fallacies. It provides two examples of the appeal to force fallacy, one involving a boss threatening to fire an employee who questions working weekends, and another involving a father threatening to confine his son to his room with only a bible if he does not attend Jesus camp.

1. APPEAL TO FORCE

2. FALLACY

3. A flaw in reasoning.
Logical fallacies are like tricks or illusions of thought.
Often very sneakily used by the politicians and media to
fool people.

4. EXAMPLE

5. TYPES OF FALLACIES

6. 1. FORMAL FALLACY
Either the premises are untrue or the argument is invalid.
Below is an example of an invalid deductive argument.
EXAMPLE:
All Arabs are Muslims.
All Iranians are Muslims.
All Iranians are Arabs.

7. 2. INFORMAL FALLACY
While it is logically valid, its technical structure (such as
use of words) is misleading or unclear which makes the
argument fallacious. The common example of informal
fallacy is equivocation which occurs when the same word
used in the argument carries two separate meanings.

8. EXAMPLE
You can use sharp things to cut paper.
Christopher has a sharp mind
Therefore, you can cut paper with Christopher’s mind.
›

9. CLASSIFICATION OF FALLACIES

10. 1. FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
2. FALLACIES OF DEFECTIVE INDUCTION
3. FALLACIES OF PRESUMPTION
4. FALLACIES OF AMBIGUITY

11. FALLACIES OF RELEVANCE
 Most numerous and the most frequently encountered.
 The premises of the argument are simply not relevant to
the conclusion.
 However, because they are made to be appear to be
relevant, they may deceive.

12. APPEAL TO FORCE (ARGUMENTUM AD
BACULUM)
also known as: argument to the cudgel,
appeal to the stick.

13. DESCRIPTION
When force, coercion, or even a
threat of force is used in place of a
reason in an attempt to justify a
conclusion.
Logical Form:
If you don’t accept X as true, I will
hurt you.

14. Melvin: Boss, why do I have to work
weekends when nobody else in the
company does?
Boss: Am I sensing insubordination?
I can find another employee very
quickly, thanks to Harry, you know.
Example #1:

15. Explanation:
Melvin has asked a legitimate question to which he did not
get a legitimate answer, rather his question was deflected
by a threat of force (as being forced out of his job).

16. EXAMPLE #2
Jordan: Dad, why do I have to spend my summer at Jesus
camp?
Dad: Because if you don’t, you will spend your entire
summer in your room with nothing but your Bible!
• Instead of a reason, dad gave Jordan a description of a
punishment that would happen.