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Fallacy (Aristotle)

A fallacy is an argument which appears to be conclusive when it is  not <ref>Joseph p.525</ref>.  The earliest classification, and for a long time the generally accepted, is the one given by [[Aristotle]] in his ''Sophistici Elenchi'' (Sophistical Refutations).  Aristotle divides fallacies into two main groups: fallacies ''in dictione'', or those which arise through some ambiguity of language, and fallacies ''extra dictionem'', sometimes known as 'material fallacies', namely those which have a source other than in language.

There are thirteen fallacies in Aristotle's classification, six ''in dictione'' and seven ''extra dictionem'', as follows:

Fallacies ''in dictione''

* Equivocation
* Amphiboly
* Composition
* Division
* Accent
* Figure of speech (''figura dictionis'')

Fallacies ''extra dictionem''

* Accident
* ''Secundum quid''
* ''Ignoratio Elenchi''
* ''Petitio principii''
* ''Non causa pro causa'' or False cause
* Consequent
* Many questions