Question

Oceans and ponds are both bodies of water. Since an ocean has a strong effect on nearby weather, a pond must have a strong effect as well.
What kind of fallacy is this?

ad hominem

false analogy

slippery slope

straw man

Answer 1

The fallacy in the argument you provided is a **false analogy**. This fallacy occurs when a comparison is made between two things that are not sufficiently similar in relevant aspects to warrant the conclusion drawn. In this case, while both oceans and ponds are bodies of water, the argument incorrectly assumes that because oceans have a strong effect on nearby weather, ponds must have a similar effect, despite the significant differences in size and other characteristics that would affect their influence on weather.