Argument and persuasion are diametrically opposite ways of reasoning. Argument aims at discernment of truth, while for persuasion, winning is the ultimate goal. Subjective reasoning leads to ...

In an era of “post-truth” and “truthiness,” it can be hard to defend the common-sense belief that reality exists independently of how people think about it. Skepticism about reality comes in many ...

A fallacy is a mistake in reasoning. It can undermine your case. Therefore, it is important to examine your own planned written and oral presentations. Also, carefully consider opposing presentations ...

In an era of “post-truth” and “truthiness,” it can be hard to defend the common-sense belief that reality exists independently of how people think about it. Skepticism about reality comes in many ...

A logical fallacy is, simply put, a flaw in reasoning. Often, logical fallacies are tactics that are used in order to bolster arguments that are, otherwise, pretty weak. At worst, they are diversion ...

When I was young, I was transfixed by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! As I viewed and reviewed the drawings that appeared in the newspaper, I learned about a great many jaw-dropping oddities. But of all ...

So goes a fallacious argument from ignorance. The fallacy can occasionally be massaged slightly into a much more palatable and seemingly wise saying: "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." ...

Yuri Arcurs peopleimages.com / Getty Images/iStockphoto When I was in college, I remember naively signing up for a course called “Introduction to Logic.” It turned out to be one of the greatest ...

Columnist with the Irish Examiner. THE internet — the information superhighway that was meant to lead to enlightenment and help slake our thirst for knowledge. But as time as gone on, that highway has ...