Term
| Argumentum ad ignoratiam (appeal to ignorance) |
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Definition
| Something not proven false, therefore true. Arguing on the basis of what is known can be proven. If you can't prove that something is true then it must be false or vice versa. Arguing that the failure to find evidence as a premise, as if a lack of proof constituted proof. Because something is not known to be true it is assumed to be false. |
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Term
| Slippery Slope (Black and White, if and then) |
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Definition
| a line of reasoning in which there is no grey area or middle ground. It states that xyz are implicit in Step A. It is often used to predict disaster or prevent disaster. Objecting to an action on the grounds that once it is taken, it will lead to similar but less desirable actions until some horror is reached down the road. a series of increasingly unacceptable consequences is drawn. |
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Term
| Complex question (loaded question) |
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Definition
| two otherwise unrelated points are conjoined and treated as a single proposition. The reader is expected to accept or reject both together, when in reality one is acceptable while the other is not. A complex question is an illegitamate use of the and operator. |
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Term
| Red Herring (Ignoratio Elenchi) |
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Definition
| An argument which distracts the audience from the issue in the question through the introduction of some irrelevancy. This frequently occurs during debates when there is and at least implicit topic, yet it is easy to loose track of it. Introduced an irrelevant issue into a discussion as a diversionary tactic. Introducing an irrelevant or secondary subject and thereby diverting attention from the main subject. Ignoring criticism of an argument by changing attention to another subject. |
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Term
| Argumentum ad baculum (appeal to force) |
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Definition
| intimidation as a means to irrelevantly sway a person's opinion. "Do it or else" |
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Term
| Argumentum ad misercordiam (appeal to pity/sympathy) |
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Definition
| Appealing to a person's unfortunate circumstance as a way of getting someone to accept a conclusion. |
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Term
| Argumentum ad consequentiam (appeal to the consequences) |
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Definition
| shows disagreeable consequiences to prove a belief is false |
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Term
| Prejudicial Language (loaded wording) |
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Definition
| Loaded or emotive terms are used to attach value or moral goodness to believing the proposition Slanting - a form of misrepresentation in which a true statement is made, but made in such a way as to suggest that something is not true or to give a false description through the manipulatoin of connotation |
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Term
| Argumentum ad populum (mob mentality, bandwagon) |
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Definition
| Going along with the crowd in support of a conclusion. Something is held to be true bcause it it widely held to be true or is held to be true by some sector of the population |
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Term
| Argumentum ad hominem (argument to the man/attacking a person) |
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Definition
Attacking a person's character instead of the content of that person's argument. A person's character, nationality or religion may be attacked. Also, it make be pointed out that a person stands to gain from a favorable outcome or a person may be attacked by assoctiation or the company he keeps. There are 3 types
-abusive
-Circumstantial/guilt by association
-tu quoue (you also) - does not practice what he preackes |
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Term
| Argumentum ad verecundiam (appeal to authority/veneration/tradition |
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Definition
appealing to a popular figure what is not an autority in that area:
-it is unneccessary. question can be answered by observation or calculation there is no need for authority
-it is impossible. no expert opinion
-the authority is not an expert on the issue
-The expert is biased
-the authority is expert but his opinion is unrepresentative of expert opinion on the subject |
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Term
| Anonymous authority/appeal to rumor |
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Definition
| part of argumentum ad verecundiam but so widely used they are often separated out. The authority in the question is not named, therefore the expertise of the authority can not be confirmed, ame with a rumor, who started it they do not know |
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Term
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Definition
| the manner in which an argument (or arguer) is presented is taken to affect the likelihood that the conclusioln is true. The package is more important then the contents |
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