Slippery slope
Also called: Domino argument
Claiming that one small step will inevitably lead to a terrible outcome, without showing each link.
How to spot it
Is each step in the chain argued, or only assumed?
Example
“If we let them have a casual Friday, soon nobody will wear anything to work.”
How to answer it
Ask for the evidence for each link. A real slope has reasons at every step.
Related
- False dilemma: Presenting two options as if they were the only ones.
- Appeal to fear: Trying to win by frightening people about what happens if they disagree.