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fallacy

fallacy A fallacy is an error in proof or reasoning: a failure to meet the conditions of valid thought.

A fallacy is an error in proof or reasoning: a failure to meet the conditions of valid thought. In this historical account, fallacies are grouped as formal errors in logical form, verbal errors based on ambiguity in language, real errors from confused thinking about evidence or conclusions, and irrelevant reasoning that does not truly establish the point at issue.

Also see

Sources

Drafting source: Baldwin Dictionary of Philosophy and Psychology, 1901. 1901 New York Macmillan original; archive index checked 2026-10-18. “Fallacy” (Fallacy).
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These citations identify the drafting sources. 2/2 independent reader passes against the pinned source packet. The drafter does not count as a reader. Source institutions do not endorse this dictionary.

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PsychTerms (psychterms.org), CC BY 4.0, version 1. “fallacy.” Development preview.

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