On a casual walk around the neighbourhood, a birdwatcher is likely to spot several species of bird that other folks are blind to. Knowing the names of these birds helps them recognize and remember them. One bird’s name sets it apart from other winged creatures.
Like birds in a neighbourhood, the world is also filled with bad arguments. Books, news articles, podcasts, Youtube videos and Whatsapp forwards house them by the dozen. These bad arguments can be classified as logical fallacies in a manner similar to birds. ‘Strawman argument’, ‘slippery slope’, ‘loaded question’ and ‘appeal to emotion’ – their names can sound as exotic as bird species to the lay person.
Learning the names of birds makes you a better birdwatcher. Learning the names of logical fallacies and spotting them in the wild makes you a better critical thinker.
Observations 