Filter It Through a Brain Cell
Episodes
162. The Naturalistic Fallacy
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just because we can observe something in nature, or in human nature, doesn't mean it's right and morally good! When you can recognize the foolish...
161. The Job's Comforter Fallacy
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had someone try to offer you advice & comfort that felt anything but comforting? Yep...it happens a lot...and it hurts. When you can...
160. The 'Draw Your Own Conclusion' Fallacy
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's wise to use your own brain to draw conclusions, but what about when someone gives you just a few selectively chosen pieces of information and the...
159. The Fallacy of Bulverism
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do you get when you mix Circular Reasoning with the Genetic Fallacy? Bulverism! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by i...
158. The Big Brain/Little Brain Fallacy
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If anyone ever tells you to let them do the thinking for you, it should raise serious red flags in your mind!! When you can recognize the foolishness,...
157. The 'What's The Harm' Fallacy
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's no harm in just trying something...right? When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more about Crazy Thinkers:...
156. The Appeal to Intuition Fallacy
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Intuition can be a powerful tool, but we have to keep in mind that it's a gut feeling, not a fact. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't g...
155. The Argument to the Future Fallacy
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Unless you're Marty McFly from Back to the Future, you don't actually KNOW what's going to happen! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't g...
154. The Argument to the Purse Fallacy
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does the amount of money you have make your arguments more believable or sound? When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Le...
153. The Appeal to Closure Fallacy
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's helpful to get closure after a traumatic event, but closure at any cost shouldn't be the goal. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't ...
152. The Sherlock Holmes Fallacy
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Surely the world's greatest detective wouldn't make an error in thinking...right?!? When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled...
151. The Gish Gallop Fallacy
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Honestly, I think this one should be called Proof by Verbal Vomit! :) When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn ...
150. 4 Simple Ways to Practice Critical Thinking - Part 2
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here's parts 3 & 4 of simple ways to practice critical thinking. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more ab...
149. 4 Simple Ways to Practice Critical Thinking - Part 1
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning to think WELL is like learning to play basketball...you're going to have to practice it if you want to get good at it. Here's how... When you...
148. The Kafka Trap
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the KafkaTrap, you're automatically assumed guilty, and there's no way to prove our own innocence. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won'...
147. DoubleSpeak
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just because someone is talking doesn't mean they're communicating well...don't get fooled by misleading language! When you can recognize the foolishn...
146. The Irrelevant Thesis Fallacy
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The evidence a person gives may be true...but that doesn't mean it supports the claim they're making. When you can recognize the foolishness...
145. The Cherry Picking Fallacy
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Giving data & evidence to support your claim is important...but don't get complacent with just hearing supportive-sounding data. We need...
144. The Fallacy of Ignoring a Common Cause
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When two things seem to happen together, it's easy to assume one is causing the other...but sometimes we need to ask if there's something else that co...
143. The Argument by Example Fallacy
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When someone gives an example of their argument, it's helpful, right? But what if the only thing they give in support of their argument or claim is an...
142. The Inconsistency Ad Hominem Fallacy
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Inconsistency usually means someone is not trustworthy or credible...but does that also mean their arguments or claims are wrong? When you can recogni...
141. The Circumstantial Ad Hominem Fallacy
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When someone has a bias, does that automatically mean their argument is going to be wrong? Not necessarily. Don't fall for this common thinking error!...
140. The Fallacy of Confusing Explanations and Excuses
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can you tell the difference between an explanation and an excuse? Here's how to not mix them up. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get...
139. The Burden of Proof Fallacy
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you make a claim, it's on you to present good evidence to back it up! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn mor...
138. The Biased Generalization Fallacy
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If enough people agree on something, that must be proof that it's true...right?! The reality is, if the people you ask are biased, you won't get an ac...
137. The Appeal to Silence Fallacy
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If nobody refutes your claim, does that mean your claim is right? Nope! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more...
136. The Pique Technique
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there are psychology-based tactics that are used specifically to try to get you to do what someone else wants you to do? Part 5 of the Co...
135. The Ingratiation Technique
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there are psychology-based tactics that are used specifically to try to get you to do what someone else wants you to do? Part 4 of the Co...
134. The Low-Ball Technique
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there are psychology-based tactics that are used specifically to try to get you to do what someone else wants you to do? Part 3 of the Co...
133. The Foot in the Door Technique
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there are psychology-based tactics that are used specifically to try to get you to do what someone else wants you to do? Part 2 of t...
132. The Door in the Face Technique
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there are psychology-based tactics that are used specifically to try to get you to do what someone else wants you to do? Part 1 of t...
131. Part 7: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
130. Part 6: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
129. Part 5: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
128. Part 4: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
127. Part 3: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
126. Part 2: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
125. Part 1: How to argue & debate… and do it well!
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We see debates & arguments all around us almost daily. From online arguments to sibling fights to people contending for their faith & beliefs....
124. The Guilt Trip Fallacy
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Guilt trips, ugh...we've all been on the receiving one and it feels terrible. But, they work, which is why so many people give them! When you can reco...
123. The Apple Polishing Fallacy
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Remember in old movies or books how children would bring a shiny apple to their teacher in hopes of winning favor with them? Well, that still happens,...
122. The Appeal to Group Identity Fallacy
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does everyone in a particular group HAVE to do, think & believe the same things? Some people want you to believe they do... When you can recognize...
121. The Appeal to Common Practice Fallacy
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If the majority of people in a group or a society believe it's right to do something, that must mean it's right...right?!? When you can recognize the ...
120. The Accident Fallacy
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
General rules usually apply to the situations we face in life...but be sure you don't ignore the exceptions! When you can recognize the foolishness, y...
119. The Rationalization Fallacy
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, the reason someone gives you first isn't the REAL reason behind their belief or action. They may be trying to make you or themselves feel b...
118. The Appeal to Common Belief Fallacy
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Just because 'everyone' seems to believe something doesn't make it true! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Le...
117. What to do when someone uses a fallacy in a conversation
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What should you do when you're in a conversation with someone and they commit a logical fallacy? Here are 3 options, along with some foundational prin...
116. The Snow Job Fallacy
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Distractions & diversions help cover up for the fact that someone can't actually back up their argument! When you can recognize the foolishness, y...
115. The 'Two Wrongs Make a Right' Fallacy
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I know you've heard the phrase: 'Two wrongs don't make a right!' Did you know there are people who believe two wrongs do make a right, and that they'r...
114. The Oversimplified Cause Fallacy
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, people will try to say there's one main cause to a very complicated issue...but is that really true? Often, complicated issues have many ca...
113. The Ad Hoc Fallacy
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever hear someone start making things up when they feel like they're losing an argument? There's a name for that! When you can recognize the foolishne...
112. The 'If By Whiskey' Fallacy
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard someone argue for both sides of an issue? There's a name for that! This one is just plain funny and you've got to listen to this episode to...
111. The Appeal to Privacy Fallacy
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While we're all entitled to privacy in our lives, what about when it comes to things that affect other people? When you can recognize the foolishness,...
110. The 'I'm Entitled to my own Opinion' Fallacy
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Certainly, everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, but what about when it comes to facts? Can we have opinions about facts? When you can recog...
109. The 3 Laws of Logic, pt 3: The Law of the Excluded Middle
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm going to give you a quick intro to formal logic by teaching you the 3 Laws of Logic. In part 3, you'll learn about the Law of the Excluded Mi...
108. The 3 Laws of Logic, pt 2: Law of Non-Contradiction
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm going to give you a quick intro to formal logic by teaching you the 3 Laws of Logic. In part 2, you'll learn about the Law of Non-Contradicti...
107. The 3 Laws of Logic, pt 1: Law of Identity
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm going to give you a quick intro to formal logic by teaching you the 3 Laws of Logic. In part 1, you'll learn about the Law of Identity and why it ...
106. The Demonic Justification Fallacy
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we see someone or something as being the 'bad guy' or being evil, it's easier to justify taking action against them. But is that always right? Wh...
105. 3 Steps to Crazy Good Thinking
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's not enough to just hear about Fallacies... you have to go from knowing 'about' them to being able to use them and develop Crazy Good Thinking! Wh...
104. The Card Stacking Fallacy
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, people only want you to see the 'highlight reel' so they tend to downplay any negatives...that doesn't mean the negatives aren't there! Whe...
103. The Plain Folks Fallacy
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ordinary, everyday folks are way more trustworthy than celebrities...right??? When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! ...
102. The Testimonial Fallacy
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When someone gives a glowing review of something, that means it has to be good...right?! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled ...
101. The Big Lie Fallacy
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you tell a lie loud enough and long enough, pretty soon people will start to believe it. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fool...
100. Artificial Intelligence & Losing our Ability to Think + Celebrating 100 Episodes!
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ready or not, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay...and take over. What effect will that have on our ability to think? Also, this is Episode 100! ...
99. The Transfer Fallacy
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard of the term guilty of association? Well, this is propaganda technique creates association in interesting ways, too! When you can recognize ...
98. The Glittering Generalities Fallacy
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Without a doubt, you've seen this subtle method of getting you to feel a certain way about something or someone and not even realized it. Well, now yo...
97. The Fallacy of Ambiguity
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When someone commits this fallacy, it's like eating a giant nothing-burger of words...don't fall for it! When you can recognize the foolishness, you w...
96. The Blind Loyalty Fallacy
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Loyalty is always right, right?? Not necessarily... When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more about Crazy Thinker...
95. The Wicked Motive Fallacy
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When someone has a bad motive, we definitely can't trust anything they say, right? Well....maybe not. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won'...
94. The Noble Motive Fallacy
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We should trust people with good motives....right?? Not so fast... When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more abou...
93. Critical Thinking is Offensive: 4 hard truths you need to embrace to truly think well
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to think well, you're going to have to embrace some hard truths: Hard truth number 1: If you want to think well, you have to risk being of...
92. The Chronological Snobbery Fallacy
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know C.S. Lewis coined this term when naming a fallacy he found himself guilty of? It's true! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won'...
91. The Appeal to Spite Fallacy
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes people just try to get you mad at someone so that you'll completely dismiss whatever they're saying. Don't fall for it! When you can recogni...
90. The Nirvana Fallacy
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is the best the enemy of the good? This fallacy answers that question! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn more ...
89. The Toupee Fallacy
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever heard someone boast, "You can't fool me! I don't miss a thing!" Well...is that really true? When you can recognize the foolishness, you ...
88. How well can you recognize the Fallacies when you see them?
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The whole goal of learning about logical fallacies is so you can recognize the when you come across them in the real world! Here's a way to test how w...
87. Whataboutism
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I guarantee you've heard this fallacy before...you may have even committed it! It's a classic story of finger-pointing in an effort to take the attent...
86. The Spotlight Fallacy
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What effect does it have on us to hear sensationalized & repeated stories on the news or in the media? As it turns out, a big one. When you can re...
85. The Sunk Cost Fallacy
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you familiar with the saying, "There's no use throwing good money after bad"? This fallacy will explain exactly what that saying means! When you c...
85. The Victim Fallacy
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard the phrase, "Playing the victim?" It comes from this fallacy. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by it! Learn mor...
83. The Relativist Fallacy
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This fallacy is being shouted from the roof-tops these days: "Even if it's not true for you, it's true for me!" Oof. This whole argument is based on t...
82. The Psychologist’s Fallacy
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's a good reason we're not mind-readers: we're not good at it! And our assumptions of what someone else is thinking & how they perceive situa...
81. The Fallacy of Misleading Vividness
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vivid & dramatic images make a huge impression on us...and sometimes convince us that something is true even when the evidence says otherwise! Whe...
80. The Fallacy of Presentism
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This fallacy is very similar to The Historian's Fallacy, with one small exception... When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled by i...
79. The Historian’s Fallacy
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we look back on the actions people have taken in the past, we have to be careful about judging them based on what we know now. When you can recog...
78. The Non Sequitur Fallacy
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever met someone who reasons like a 4-year-old? Lol - it's funny, but makes little sense. When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fooled...
77. The Furtive Fallacy
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever meet someone who is suspicious of everyone? Or who thinks that some person in leadership is making harmful, secretive decisions? Well, today's ep...
76. The Alphabet Soup Fallacy
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever had someone use a bunch of acronyms or abbreviations to make themselves seem more knowledgeable? Yeah, not cool! When you can recognize the fooli...
75. The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just because someone makes fun of an idea doesn't mean it's a bad idea or that it's not true! When you can recognize the foolishness, you won't get fo...
74. How to have a conversation with someone who believes differently than you: with my 15-year old daughter, Lena
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I have the most special guest today, my 15-year old daughter, Lena! Lena is going to share how she's used the 4 Simple Tools for Brain Surgery in real...
73. 4 Simple Tools for Brain Surgery: Part 4
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this 4-part series, I'm giving you 4 tools you can use to help other people begin to start filtering their ideas through a brain cell! To learn mor...
72. 4 Simple Tools for Brain Surgery: Part 3
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this 4-part series, I'm giving you 4 tools you can use to help other people begin to start filtering their ideas through a brain cell! To learn mor...
71. 4 Simple Tools for Brain Surgery: Part 2
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The 2nd Simple Tool for Brain Surgery will get the other person to consider the credibility of the authority they're looking to for the ideas & be...
70. 4 Simple Tools for Brain Surgery: Part 1
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this 4-part series, I'm giving you 4 tools you can use to help other people begin to start filtering their ideas through a brain cell! To learn mor...
69. The Argument Against Self-Confidence (Argumentum Ad Fidentia)
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When someone isn't 100% confident in their argument, does that automatically mean they're wrong? Not necessarily... When you can recognize the foolish...
68. The Reification Fallacy
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the 3rd of a 3-part mini-series, we'll look at ways people make ideas or concept either seem like they're alive or have human characteristics. When...
67. Personification
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of a short 3-part series, we'll be looking at another way people sometimes give human emotions to non-human things. When you can recognize t...
66. The Pathetic Fallacy
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This one is more of a literary device than a common fallacy...but it still happens! Can cows really be happy? That's debatable... When you can recogni...
65. The Appeal to Hitler Fallacy (Argumentum ad Hitlerum)
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It may seem like a made-up name, but it's not! This fallacy is actually a specific type of Guilt by Association fallacy. When you can recognize t...
64. The Guilt by Association Fallacy
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just because you have something in common with an unpopular person or group doesn't mean you're just like them. When you can recognize the foolishness...
63. The Poisoning the Well Fallacy
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Would you drink from a well even after someone told you it may have been poisoned? Probably not. That's what people are hoping you'll do when they try...