Definition of Slippery Slope

What does the term "slippery slope" mean when it comes to logical fallacies? What is meant by a "slippery slope"?

A "slippery slope" is when a number of seemingly unrelated circumstances are expected (by one person) to occur when an initial decision is made.

For instance - let's say that your teenaged kid wants to join a soccer team. You are super protective and worry that he might get injured.

"If you join the soccer team", you say, "you'll injure yourself horribly and be unable to work in the future! Then I'll have to take care of you and pay for your bills when you are an adult. You'll never leave the house and never get married. Is that what you want?"

This is a ridiculous example of the "slippery slope" fallacy, though it clearly illustrates the idea behind it.

In this case, the parent is worried about their child getting injured playing soccer, so they concoct a ridiculous set of circumstances that will occur if their child decides to sign up and play soccer.

Let's take a look at a "slippery slope" argument that might occur in the world of politics.

A young woman flees Saudi Arabia after she is accused of blasphemy. If she had remained in the country, she likely would have died.

A European country agrees to give her asylum. Some people living in the country are against the arrangement, as they believe it will lead to millions of people coming to the country and asking for asylum as well. This, they say, will lead to economic instability and less jobs for the people that were born in the country.

This is a "slippery slope" argument. There is absolutely no indication that "millions" of people will attempt to declare asylum, and there is less evidence that economic instability will come about as a result. This is the "slippery slope" argument that is used by fear mongers.

--

Davemanuel.com Articles That Mention Slippery Slope:

Merrill Lynch Agrees to Buyout From Bank of America; The Financial Landscape Continues to Abruptly Change