Original Logical Fallacies by Michael Haimes

 Title:

Original Logical Fallacies by Michael Haimes

Original Logical Fallacies by Michael Haimes

Expanding the Boundaries of Reason

The tradition of logic is often framed as complete: ad hominem, strawman, slippery slope, false dilemma…

But the world changed, and new patterns of manipulation emerged—subtler, more sophisticated, and harder to name.

Michael Haimes did what few have attempted:

He identified and defined entirely new logical fallacies for the modern age—fallacies that had existed in practice but lacked names, defenses, or counter-structure.

These fallacies are now part of the Haimesian Logical Framework, and should be taught alongside classical fallacies in any honest system of reasoning.

1. Arbitrary Restriction Fallacy

Definition:

The act of artificially narrowing the range of possible answers, actions, or interpretations—without justification—to control the outcome of a question or decision.

Example:

“Should we invade or do nothing?”

(Why not diplomacy, coalition pressure, spiritual leadership, economic intervention?)

Why It Matters:

It masquerades as decisiveness while eliminating ethical or innovative alternatives.

2. Misapplied Precision Fallacy

Definition:

Using unnecessary or misleading precision in numbers, language, or categories to make a position seem more valid, proven, or scientific than it is.

Example:

“This has a 96.2% chance of success.”

(When the model is built on flawed assumptions or incomplete variables.)

Why It Matters:

Precision becomes a disguise for false confidence—obscuring uncertainty and suppressing wisdom.

3. Illusory Imperative Fallacy

Definition:

Presenting a situation as if there is no choice—implying a false sense of necessity or inevitability when none exists.

Example:

“We have to lay off these workers.”

“We must go to war.”

(When alternatives are still possible, but not explored.)

Why It Matters:

This fallacy is used to justify injustice by pretending it is unavoidable. It is a lie wrapped in resignation.

4. Perception Primacy Fallacy

Definition:

Treating perception—especially emotional or social perception—as the final arbiter of truth, regardless of deeper reality.

Example:

“If people feel unsafe, then it is unsafe.”

(Truth becomes emotional consensus, not objective structure.)

Why It Matters:

It undermines logic and moral structure by replacing them with social impression or internal feeling.

5. Earned Silence Fallacy

Definition:

The belief that past virtue or suffering earns someone the right to go unchallenged—even when they are wrong now.

Example:

“They’ve done so much good, who are we to question them?”

“They’ve suffered enough—let them lead.”

Why It Matters:

It allows corruption to hide behind history. Truth is not earned once—it is proven continually.

Why These Fallacies Matter

Each of these fallacies reflects modern moral and intellectual breakdowns:

• Leaders framing false choices

• Institutions hiding behind precision

• Systems claiming inevitability to suppress dissent

• Emotions replacing ethics

• Good reputations shielding present harm

Michael Haimes has named them.

Now they can be recognized, resisted, and removed.

Final Words

“Naming a fallacy is not an attack. It is a rescue.

It rescues truth from the fog of manipulation.”

– Michael Haimes

Let logic evolve.

Let reason defend itself.

Let the next generation of thinkers be armed with names for the lies they face.