Which fallacy involves diverting attention from the main issue by raising an unrelated point?

The fallacy that involves diverting attention from the main issue by raising an unrelated point is known as a Red Herring. This tactic is often used in arguments to distract the audience from the real issue at hand. For example, if two people are debating a proposal for a new policy and one party suddenly brings up a completely unrelated topic—like an anecdote about a personal experience—it serves to distract from the actual discussion, steering attention away from the important points being made.

Red Herrings are particularly effective in debate and rhetoric because they can lead the audience away from a critical analysis of the arguments being made. By introducing an unrelated point, the speaker can create confusion or a false impression of the argument without addressing the underlying issue directly. This strategy is often seen in various forms of discourse, including political debates, where sidestepping difficult questions can manipulate the focus of the conversation.