Which logical fallacy implies that if one event occurs, a series of negative consequences will follow?

The logical fallacy that suggests that one event will lead to a series of negative consequences is known as a slippery slope. This fallacy operates on the idea that a relatively small first step can trigger a chain of events leading to significant and often dire outcomes. It typically avoids presenting evidence for these extreme consequences, relying instead on fear of the worst-case scenarios.

In the context of public speaking and argumentation, this fallacy can be particularly persuasive because it plays on emotions, leading the audience to fear the potential negative ramifications. By presenting a line of reasoning that jumps from a benign action to catastrophic results, speakers often undermine rational discourse.

The other options represent different logical fallacies that do not fit this description. For instance, the either-or fallacy presents a situation as having only two alternatives, which oversimplifies the choices available. The straw-person fallacy misrepresents an opponent's argument to easily refute it, while the non sequitur fallacy involves conclusions that do not logically follow from the premises presented. Each of these fallacies operates under a different mechanism, making the slippery slope the only choice that correctly identifies the chain-reaction implication of negative consequences.