Understanding (and avoiding) slippery slope fallacies

What is a slippery slope fallacy?

A slippery slope fallacy is a claim that one action or event will lead to more significant problems. This type of fallacy takes its name from the notion that once you start sliding down a slippery slope, it’s almost impossible to stop before you reach the bottom. When using a slippery slope fallacy, you paint a big hypothetical scenario regarding a potential outcome in a way that makes enough sense for others to process. Like red herrings and straw man arguments, slippery slopes are informal fallacies that can mislead people.

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Can slippery slope arguments be true?

It’s important to note that not every slippery slope argument is considered to be a fallacy. A slippery slope argument where the possible consequences are proven to occur isn’t a fallacy because the resulting claim is more plausible. Here is an example of a slippery slope argument that can be true.

• If sporting goods stores stop selling bike helmets, then more people will end up in the hospital for head injuries.

Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is an effective way to minimize the risk of getting hurt in an accident. So, in a scenario where bike helmets are less available, it’s very likely that the rate of serious head injuries could increase.

Why would someone use a slippery slope argument?

This type of argument is used because they can make for very convincing arguments to avoid doing something. By illustrating the potential negative effects of a specific action, you can dissuade someone from carrying out the action in the first place. These types of arguments are commonly seen in politics, media, and advertisements and often use fear to make a point.

Why you should avoid making a slippery slope fallacy

While they can be a persuasive tactic, slippery slope fallacies are an unreliable method for convincing others because they lack sound logic and evidence. They often skip over the points that lead to the claim and don’t provide a rational basis for believing that the initial step will lead to the predicted consequences. Even if you’re able to successfully convince some people, a slippery slope argument that is untrue can be easily debunked by someone who is well-informed on the subject matter.

It’s also a good idea to avoid repeating slippery slope fallacies that you hear from others, as they may be baseless claims as well. Slippery slope fallacies frequently appear on social media and spread misinformation on a large scale. When you hear a slippery slope argument, be sure to do some additional research before repeating it to others.

How to counter a slippery slope fallacy

The next time you are about to make a slippery slope argument, ask yourself the following questions.

• What information is left out of the argument?
• When piecing together all of the points that lead to the exacerbated claim, are there any parts that don’t make sense or could be untrue?
• Are there alternative solutions to the argument? Or rather, could the slope go a different route?
• How likely is the end event going to happen?
• Are there any parts of the slope that are deliberately there to cause fear?
• Did a similar scenario occur in the past? If so, how did it play out?

Now, let’s go through an example to see if we can debunk it: “My stomach was hurting this morning, so I must have a tumor.”

First, think of what could have led to your stomach pain. Did you eat something that may have caused the problem? Have you done anything that may have led to this pain? Then, reflect on stomach pains that you have felt in the past. Are they similar to what you are feeling now? Is it possible that your pain is caused by something else besides cancer? Did you read something that may have led you to believe you have cancer? Or, to get straight to the point, schedule an appointment with a doctor or a gastroenterologist to confirm the cause of the pain.

Knowing how to identify logical fallacies like slippery slopes can help you write clearly and accurately. Learn about other common logical fallacies like ad hominem, equivocation, and more from our Writing Resources Center.