Fallacy
Slippery Slope
Also known as: Argument of the Sliding Slope
- Category
- Fallacy
- Main group
- Informal Fallacy
- Subgroup
- Causal Fallacy
- Difficulty
- easy (1/3)
- Argumentation order
- 1. Argument
Description
A warning is issued against a specific step because it is claimed that it would trigger a domino effect leading to further steps with far more negative consequences.
Example
"If we legalize cannabis, then we will surely be legalizing heroin soon as well."
- Limitations
This fallacy is not always unfounded. It can point to potential long-term consequences and trend developments or, for example, warn against a legal precedent.
- Researched by
Douglas Walton
- See also
Catastrophizing