Rhetorical and Cognitive Biases

Claims something is acceptable or correct because many people do it.

Dismisses critique by claiming the issue is too complex to resolve or understand.

Leans on feelings like fear, pity, or pride instead of reasons.

Uses frightening scenarios to secure agreement instead of offering evidence.

Claims something is true or good because many people believe it.

Claims something is true because it hasn’t been proven false, or false because it hasn’t been proven true.

Dismisses a claim by attacking or speculating about the speaker’s motives instead of the evidence.

Seeks agreement by invoking sympathy rather than offering relevant reasons.

Claims a view is correct because wealthy or successful people hold it, or because it leads to wealth.

Claims a view is correct because it is held by the poor or disadvantaged, or because it rejects wealth.

Treats being rich or poor as proof that a claim is right, combining appeals to wealth and poverty.

Overweights the opinion of authority figures, even outside their expertise or without evidence.

Favors information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring or discounting contrary evidence.

Uses vague, feel-good phrases that carry positive connotations but little concrete content.

Assumes a person with recent success has a higher chance of continued success in independent events.

Overestimates one’s influence over outcomes that are largely determined by chance or external factors.

Underestimates time, costs, or risks of a task, even when past experiences suggest otherwise.

Continues an endeavor because of past investment rather than future benefit.

Uses a trite phrase to end discussion and discourage further thought.

A statement that seems profound but is either trivially true or meaningless upon scrutiny.

Uses coded language that seems innocuous to the general audience but carries targeted meanings for a specific group.

Expresses moral stances mainly to display virtue or gain approval, not to argue substance.

Assumes that because something could happen, it will happen—or that probability alone justifies action.

Claims something is acceptable or correct because it is common or normal.