This fallacy occurs when the speaker claims that a small action or event will inevitably lead to a chain of extreme and often negative events and consequences, without providing sufficient evidence that such a chain is unavoidable.
Definition:
A slippery slope is a reasoning error in which the arguer assumes or suggests that if the first step is taken, the subsequent steps will be inevitable and will end in an extreme or disastrous outcome. This form of argument ignores or omits possible safeguards and real-world complexities, relying instead on fear or exaggeration to persuade the audience.
Typical structure of this fallacy:
1. If A happens, it will lead to B.
2. B will lead to C, then to D, and eventually to the disastrous outcome E.
3. Therefore, A must not be allowed to happen.
Examples from real life:
1. Politics:
“If we pass this tax reform law, the next step will be full government control over people’s lives, and this will lead to dictatorship.”
Here, it should be noted that reforming a law does not necessarily result in the loss of freedoms.
2. Education:
“If we allow students to bring mobile phones to school, first they will be distracted in class, then their grades will drop, and eventually the entire education system will collapse.”
Here, it should be noted that limited and well-managed use of technology can be possible without harming education.
3. Public culture:
“If we legalise this kind of music today, tomorrow all our cultural values will be destroyed.”
Here, it should be noted that cultural change does not necessarily mean the complete collapse of traditions.
4. Everyday life:
“If you go to bed late tonight, tomorrow you will be tired, then you will not do your work properly, you will be fired, and you will become homeless!”
Here, it should be noted that going to bed late for one night does not necessarily lead to such consequences.
Why is this fallacy dangerous?
● It disrupts rational decision-making by exaggerating consequences.
● It persuades the audience based on fear rather than real evidence.
● It prevents the consideration of intermediate factors and conditions that could change the course of events.
How can we recognise and respond to it?
Ask:
– Is there sufficient evidence that this chain of consequences is truly inevitable?
– Are there no safeguards or alternative paths between the stages mentioned?
A suitable response might be: “This could happen, but what factors could stop this process or change its course? Let’s consider those as well.”
Conclusion:
The slippery slope fallacy, by assuming that a series of consequences is certain and unavoidable, allows fear and anxiety to dominate the mind and prevents logical analysis. By asking questions, examining the evidence, and considering alternative paths, we can prevent discussions from becoming fear-driven and base decision-making on reality.