Arbitrary Dilemma Fallacy

A fallacy, extremely common in politics, where one artificially restricts the range of available options to a false dilemma—typically presenting a limited set of choices as the only possibilities, when others exist. The most famous form is TINA (There Is No Alternative), where a particular policy or system is presented as inevitable because "there's no other choice." Another common form is lesser-evilism, where one is told to support a flawed option because the alternative is supposedly worse—without considering whether other alternatives exist or whether the framing itself is manipulative. "We have to accept this austerity because there's no alternative." "Vote for this corrupt candidate because the other one is even worse." "Support this imperfect policy because the opposition would be catastrophic." The fallacy lies in the arbitrariness of the dilemma: the options presented are treated as exhaustive when they're not, and the criteria for what counts as "worse" are assumed rather than argued. The dilemma is arbitrary because it's constructed to foreclose rather than enable genuine choice.

Example: "She argued that we had to accept the surveillance bill because 'the terrorists win otherwise'—Arbitrary Dilemma Fallacy, presenting a false choice between surveillance and security while ignoring the possibility of security without surveillance."

by Dumu The Void March 17, 2026

The Lighting Mcqueen Fallacy

A logical fallacy where someone believes their own superiority overrides facts because they think they're above everyone else, hence the fallacy name where Lightning was a self-centered arrogant rookie

King: "Lightning, you need to actually get skill in order to win and hire an excellent crew"
Lightning: "Compelling argument, Mr. the king, however, I am a hot shot rookie who is faster and better than you in every single way, therefore, your argument is invalid"
King: "What you just said is an example of The Lighting Mcqueen Fallacy. There, I made a fallacy about you"

by I-write March 19, 2026

Sunk cost fallacy

Sunk cost fallacy is a dead song of popular EDM artist Fox Stevenson that the community kept dear to their hearts.

No, Sunk Cost Fallacy is a dead song and is neve- WAIT WHAT!?!??!? SCF BEFORE GTA VI WHAT THE SHI-!?!

by samostalniivan123 May 27, 2025

Muhammad of the gaps fallacy

Muhammad of the gaps fallacy is when there is a supposed prophecy of the prophet muhammad of islam in the bible, but if other dont know who the prophet is, you assume it is the prophet muhammad of islam.

In John 1:21 it says the prophet! If its not jesus (since hes the messiah) and its not john the baptist or elijah, therefore its muhammad! This is a Muhammad of the gaps fallacy.

by shubuhatshubuhat June 27, 2025

The Big A Fallacy

When you only side with people that live in Atlanta, Georgia, thus creating a bias towards those people.

Christian is the biggest user of The Big A Fallacy!

by CrimperxCrimmy July 14, 2025

Nickle Lining Fallacy

The fallacy for when someone of a problematic group tries to justify their harmful ways by trying to convince people there was a silver lining. That it used to be good or still is good its just that there are a few bad people. But really its an excuse and a fake silver lining

"The leader of the cult like group tried to explain his Nickle Lining Fallacy to skeptists to keep them at bay."

by Cbafn July 14, 2025

Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy

The logical error of assuming people act honestly, ethically, or transparently without evidence, ignoring that self-interest, incentives, and deception often influence behavior. Accepting statements or actions at face value without considering motives is the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.

Examples Illustrating the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy:

1. Law Enforcement:
Police at a crime scene operate under the assumption of malice or self-interest, not automatic honesty. Ignoring human self-interest in these situations would be dangerous and illogical.

2. Sports / Entertainment:
In the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, assuming the bout wasn’t rigged just because they denied it ignores possible financial or strategic incentives, making this a clear Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.

3. Everyday Life / Buying Items:
Buying a “cheap” iPad or concert tickets on Craigslist without checking could leave you with a fake or broken product. Verifying items before purchase follows the assumption of malice, showing why assuming honesty is a fallacy.

1. “Thinking a stranger handing you a USB drive is safe to plug in? That’s the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy—people can have hidden motives.”

2. “Believing every politician is telling the truth during a campaign speech is a classic Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”

3. “Assuming your roommate would never eat your leftovers without asking? That’s textbook Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”

by QuestingPalm August 24, 2025