20 Logic Errors

20 Logic errors used by evolutionists when discussing origins

1. Fuzzy Words

We believe, we think Given enough time, it will happen Might work Must have formed “Those life forms must have evolved in the absence of oxygen,…” Could possibly have been My guess is Seems like Use of “fuzzy words” demonstrates that evolutionists do not have the evidence to support their claims. 2. Half Truth Half true and half false Often more effective than the complete lie Example: The Second Law of Thermodynamics only applies to isolated systems, so it is not relevant to evolution, because the earth is an open system 3. Bandwagon The appeal to “everyone agrees” Example: All scientists accept evolution No real scientist accepts creation To see a list of scientists that believe in a literal 6-day creation got to: www.AnswersInGenesis.org 4. Glittering Generalities A broad oversimplification of an explanation Example: Scientists may disagree about the mechanism of evolution, but all agree that evolution is a fact. 5. Loaded Words Using emotionally-charged words to influence a reaction Example: Creationism is a tactic by the “Christian right” to force their religious agenda on our children 6. Association Associating something you want to criticize with something people dislike Example: Associating creation in the same sentence with astrology or known myths 7. Ridicule Attempting to provoke a dislike against a person or idea by name-calling Example: Creationists are troglodytes and flat-earthers 8. Circumstantial Evidence Assuming physical evidences are related Example: We are here therefore we must have evolved (this is often the best evidence used to support evolution) Example: Fossil horses arranged into an evolutionary sequence 9. Either-Or Fallacy Presenting only one possible solution when others are justified Example: If we teach creation then we will have to teach every other creation myth 10. Analogy Improperly drawing parallels while ignoring pertinent differences Example: Evolution is a fact like digestion or gravity 11. Authority Relying on authority rather than logic and evidence Example: Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” Example: Citing one scholar who claims the days of Genesis could have been long ages 12. Extrapolation Assuming a trend beyond what the data permits Example: Radioactive dating methods prove the earth is 4.6 billion years old Example: Mutations are the mechanism for evolution 13. Best-in-Field Fallacy An appeal to overlook discrepancies in a theory Example: We don’t have all the answers, but evolution is the best model we have 14. Shifting the Burden of Proof Forgetting that it is your responsibility to prove a claim, not your opponents to disprove it Example: Claiming that creation has no proof and therefore should not be taught, when evolution has never been proven or is even capable of proof 15. Ad Hominem Attacking the person instead of the argument Example: Asserting that creationists are ultra-conservative, do not have real degrees, or are liars Example: Accusing creationists of quoting out of context when they did not 16. Equivocation Confusing the issue by using vague terms or changing the definitions of words Example: Changing the definition of science to support only evolution Example: Not clearly defining terms such as natural selection or macroevolution 17. Card Stacking Listing all the points in your favor while ignoring the serious points against it Example: Pouncing on one item by your opponent but ignoring the major points of his/her argument Example: Trying to prove evolution using finch beaks or antibiotic resistant bacteria but ignoring all the problems 18. Bluffing Appearing to know more than you do Example: Making the claim that the fossil record is full of transitional fossils Example: Dinosaurs evolved into birds 19. Appeasement The appeal that we're not really so different Example: Most religions don’t have a problem with evolution 20. Visualization Using imagery to mislead or to substitute for evidence Example: The evolutionary tree of life Example: The geologic column Example: Reconstruction of alleged “apemen”