Mistake Type:
Slippery Slope
Asserting that a minor action or decision will inevitably lead to extreme and negative consequences, without providing evidence for the chain of events.
Examples:
“If we legalize marijuana, next we’ll be legalizing hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.”
“Climate change could lead to the extermination of the human race.”
“If we allow the government to collect our metadata, it’s a short step to full-on Orwellian state control.”
“Running a deficit will lead to national bankruptcy.”
About Slippery Slope:
A Slippery Slope argument posits that a relatively innocuous action or decision will set off a chain reaction, leading to catastrophic outcomes. This tactic is meant to sow fear and uncertainty, pushing the audience to reject the initial proposal to avoid the purported disaster. Typically, the issuer doesn’t provide evidence or a logical explanation to substantiate the supposed sequence of events, making the argument speculative at best. Slippery Slope arguments are very easy to assert, and extremely difficult to disprove.
Slippery Slope arguments are particularly powerful because they tap into human fear and uncertainty, creating a sense of urgency that discourages nuanced discussion or examination of the initial proposal.
However, Slippery Slope arguments have several weaknesses. Firstly, they ignore the possibility of intermediate steps, checks, or controls that could prevent the disastrous outcome. Secondly, they distract from discussing the actual issue at hand, and instead, focus on extreme extrapolations or hypotheticals that may never come to pass. Finally, they may constitute a form of emotional manipulation, aiming to frighten rather than inform.