Slippery slope
Claims one event will inevitably trigger a chain of negative consequences.
Specimen
If we allow this minor regulation, it will inevitably lead to a fully regulated economy, then to state control of all businesses, and eventually to an authoritarian system .
Fabricated passage — teaching example designed for clarity.
slippery slope — chain of consequences asserted without evidence
Dissection
If we allow this minor regulation, it will inevitably lead to a fully regulated economy, then to state control of all businesses, and eventually to an authoritarian system.
- causal links assumed
- each step telescoped
- endpoint chosen for alarm value
Field notes
- Family
- Logical fallacy
- Habitat
- economic commentary, political editorials, lifestyle coverage
- Frequency
- found in 8% of analyzed articles
- Confused with
- False dichotomy , Fear appeal
In the wild
"Once they can regulate this, there's nothing stopping them from regulating everything."
Opinion column, business publication, February 2026
"Today it's a minor restriction. Tomorrow it's a complete ban. History tells us where this ends."
Editorial, political magazine, March 2026
Why it works
Each step in the chain sounds plausible in isolation. The reader evaluates link-by-link rather than stepping back to ask whether the whole chain is supported by evidence.
Counter-move
Ask: what evidence supports each step? Stop at the first unsubstantiated one.
See it flagged in real articles while you read.
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