<P> Definition: Making assumptions about a whole group or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate (usually because it is atypical or just too small). Stereotypes about people ("frat boys are drunkards," "grad students are nerdy," "women don't enjoy sports," etc .) are a common example of the principle underlying hasty generalization . </P> <P> Definition: The premises of an argument do support a particular conclusion--but not the conclusion that the arguer actually draws . </P> <P> This fallacy gets its name from the Latin phrase "post hoc, ergo propter hoc," which translates as "after this, therefore because of this ." Definition: Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B. Sometimes one event really does cause another one that comes later--for example, if I register for a class, and my name later appears on the roll, it's true that the first event caused the one that came later . But sometimes two events that seem related in time aren't really related as cause and event . That is, correlation isn't the same thing as causation . </P> <P> Definition: The arguer claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there's really not enough evidence for that assumption . The arguer asserts that if we take even one step onto the "slippery slope," we will end up sliding all the way to the bottom; he or she assumes we can't stop halfway down the hill . </P>

All arguments that take the form someone (x) asserts p therefore p commit what fallacy