slippery slope

A slippery slope is a reasoning pattern suggesting that a relatively small or initial action will inevitably lead to larger, often undesirable outcomes. It assumes that once a particular step occurs, it will set off a chain reaction resulting in increasingly extreme consequences, even if those outcomes are not guaranteed. This argument often relies on the idea that each step causes the next, creating a domino effect. While sometimes valid, it's important to examine whether each link in the chain is plausible or if the supposed progression is overstated or unlikely, to avoid unfounded fears of an inevitable cascade.