Logical Fallacies Workshop

Learning Objective

Participants will learn to identify common logical fallacies in arguments, strengthen their own reasoning, and constructively challenge flawed logic in workplace discussions.

How It Works

The Logical Fallacies Workshop:

1. Introduction (10 min)
   Teach 6-8 common fallacies with clear definitions and examples:
   
   - Ad Hominem: Attacking the person, not the argument
   - Straw Man: Misrepresenting someone's argument to attack it
   - False Dichotomy: Presenting only two options when more exist
   - Slippery Slope: Claiming one thing will inevitably lead to extremes
   - Appeal to Authority: "Trust me, I'm an expert"
   - Bandwagon: "Everyone else is doing it"
   - Red Herring: Introducing irrelevant information to distract
   - Circular Reasoning: Using the conclusion as a premise

2. Spot the Fallacy (15 min)
   Present real-world examples (ads, headlines, meeting scenarios). Teams identify which fallacy is present.

3. Industry Application (10 min)
   Teams brainstorm: "Where have we seen these fallacies in our own work?"

4. Build Better Arguments (5 min)
   Practice reframing fallacious arguments into valid ones.

5. Debrief (5 min)
   Discuss how to call out fallacies constructively.

Rules:
- Focus on the reasoning, not the conclusion
- A fallacious argument can still have a true conclusion
- Identifying fallacies isn't about "winning"—it's about clarity

Example Scenarios

AI will generate scenarios like these, customized for your context:

• Sales: Recognizing manipulation tactics in negotiations and proposals
• Marketing: Identifying misleading claims in competitor messaging
• Leadership: Spotting flawed reasoning in strategic recommendations
• Product: Challenging assumptions in feature prioritization debates
• HR: Evaluating arguments in policy change proposals