ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G01-018 · ATLAS 259

Fallacy

A fallacy is a defect in reasoning or argumentation that undermines a claimed support relation.

Part of the subject path Argumentation, Logic and Discourse

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Fallacy supplies a shared foundation for examining particular defects in argument. It requires identifying the claimed support and the standard violated. This prevents labelling an unwelcome assertion: falsity or disagreement alone does not establish a fallacy.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A fallacy is a defect in reasoning or argumentation that undermines a claimed support relation. Formal defects concern inferential structure; informal defects may depend on relevance, context or justificatory requirements. A true conclusion does not retrospectively validate a faulty argument. Conversely, a false assertion alone is not a fallacy unless a defective argumentative move is involved. The profile treats the term as a task: identify the claim, the applicable standard and the point of failure.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the conclusion. 2. Reconstruct the offered reasons. 3. Specify the claimed standard of support. 4. Demonstrate a defective form or contextual violation. 5. Reassess the conclusion independently of the faulty argument.

Scientific use case

Argumentation research can annotate errors with contextual conditions and assess agreement between analysts.

Example

“If the alarm is triggered, the lamp lights. The lamp is lit, so the alarm was triggered.” A test circuit could also have lit it.

Counterexample

The observation “The lamp is lit” is not itself a fallacy. Detecting the error does not establish that the alarm was not triggered.

Distinction

Distinguish lying, false statements, poor style and disagreement. Diagnosis requires a demonstrated defect, not a label.

Effect on thought and perception

Attention shifts from persuasive appearance to actual support relations.

Resonance

An apparently secure transition gives way, leaving the question in need of another route.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Fallacy“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G01-018. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G01-018

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G01-018

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.