Submitted by Virgo on
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A slippery slope argument, in logic, critical thinking, political rhetoric, and caselaw, is often viewed as a logical fallacy in which a party asserts that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in some significant effect. - Wikipedia
Arm yourself - there are slippery slopes everywhere in life especially politics. Can you recognize them? Let's basically define a few:
(1) Red Herring Fallacy
Also known as: misdirection, smokescreen, clouding the issue, beside the point, and the Chewbacca defense.
A Red Herring argument is one that changes the subject, distracting the audience from the real issue to focus on something else where the speaker feels more comfortable and confident.
(2) Strawman Fallacy
Also known in the U.K. as Aunt Sally.
A Strawman argument is an intentional misrepresentation of an opponent’s position. It sets up an easy (and false) target for the speaker to knock down.
3) Slippery Slope Fallacy
Also known as absurd extrapolation, thin edge of the wedge, and camel’s nose under the tent.
A Slippery Slope argument is a version of a Red Herring. Specifically, this is a claim that a policy which takes a small step in one direction will lead to a chain of events that will result in drastic change.
4) Begging the Question Fallacy
Also known as: assuming the initial point, chicken and the egg, and circular reasoning.
In an argument Begging the Question, the conclusion is assumed in one of the argument’s premises, and that premise is not supported by independent evidence. Often called circular reasoning, it begins and ends at the same place. [Sorry, it has nothing to do with prompting someone to ask a question.]
5) Post Hoc Fallacy
From the Latin phrase “post hoc, ergo propter hoc,” which means “after this, therefore because of this.” Also known as false cause.
A Post Hoc argument is one where the speaker confuses correlation with causation, specifically, that because on event followed another, the first event caused the second. Is there a so-called Education Reform argument that’s not Post Hoc?
Definitions: https://publicleadershipinstitute.org/2018/08/15/five-logical-fallacies-often-used-political-policy-debate/