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How we change what others think, feel, believe and do
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How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
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Slippery Slope
Disciplines > Argument > Fallacies > Slippery Slope Description | Discussion | Example | See also
DescriptionThe slippery slope is a series of statements that have a superficial connection with one another, and which lead into what is often a rather far-fetched conclusion. Use it when you are in relatively unsophisticated company where such obvious lack of logic will go unchallenged. In more thoughtful company, you will need a more subtle approach. ExampleIf we ban smoking, then people will start taking soft drugs and then move onto hard drugs, and the crime rate will go up and up. We should therefore prevent crime by allowing smoking. DiscussionThe slippery slope is particularly obvious in its lack of real reason, yet it appears surprisingly often. It is often used in emotional situations where careful thought is replaced by an irrational need for illogical proof and justification. This fallacy is often used by politicians. This is possibly because they tend to be risk-averse, and the slippery slope seems like a good way of pointing out dangers ('It'll all end in tears!'). ClassificationAlso known asAbsurd Extrapolation See alsoEmotion and decision, Generalization
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