Tutorial on Argument and Fallacy

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astronuc
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Argument Tutorial
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the importance of providing evidence in arguments rather than merely taking opposing positions, referencing resources such as the "Argument Clinic" and a logic guide. It highlights the concept of the "Fallacy of Stolen Concept," where arguments against a truth value require acceptance of that truth to be coherent, illustrated with examples like "language is meaningless" and "truth does not exist." The conversation also touches on the utility of Wikipedia for understanding logical fallacies and suggests that some individuals may be resistant to recognizing these fallacies in debates. Additionally, it mentions a resource for categorizing various fallacies, emphasizing the challenge of engaging with those who consistently use flawed reasoning.
Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
22,341
Reaction score
7,139
Science news on Phys.org
Astronuc said:
I stumbled across this and thought some might find it useful.

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/logic.html

and this as well

The Argument Clinic - http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/sn-python.html

The objective of argument or disputation is not only take an opposing position, but to provide evidence to support one's position. Otherwise, as is pointed out in the MP sketch, it's simply contradiction.

That's cool, I use wikipedia for logical fallacies, it's got some really great posts about them, and they are logical which makes a change for wikipedia, I accused Vanesch of being guilty of one not two weeks ago :smile:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modus_ponens

In relation to MWI :smile: as the theory assumes QT is correct :smile: I don't think he agreed though.
 
Last edited:
Here is one that they missed:

Fallacy of Stolen Concept - An argument where your argument against the truth value of something implicitly demands that you accept the truth value of the thing you are trying to disprove in order to disprove it, making the argument incoherent and contradictory.

ex.

- "Langauge is meaningless" - If language is meaningless, then the statement "language is meaningless" is itself meaningless. When making the argument, you presuppose the meaningfulness of language.
- "Truth does not exist" - If there is no such thing as truth, then it cannot possibly be true that there is no such thing as truth.
- "I do not exist" - The speaker makes a statement about herself, and as such, presumes her own existence.
- "Reality is an illusion" - The very concept "illusion" is derived from the concept "reality"; that is, the concept "illusion" makes absolutely no sense, unless there is indeed "reality" with which it may be contrasted"

etc.
 
Moridin said:
Here is one that they missed:

Fallacy of Stolen Concept - An argument where your argument against the truth value of something implicitly demands that you accept the truth value of the thing you are trying to disprove in order to disprove it, making the argument incoherent and contradictory.

ex.

- "Langauge is meaningless" - If language is meaningless, then the statement "language is meaningless" is itself meaningless. When making the argument, you presuppose the meaningfulness of language.
- "Truth does not exist" - If there is no such thing as truth, then it cannot possibly be true that there is no such thing as truth.
- "I do not exist" - The speaker makes a statement about herself, and as such, presumes her own existence.
- "Reality is an illusion" - The very concept "illusion" is derived from the concept "reality"; that is, the concept "illusion" makes absolutely no sense, unless there is indeed "reality" with which it may be contrasted"

etc.


Don't tell those to the new agers. They thrive on these concepts.
 
"www.fallacyfiles.org"[/URL] does a lot of categorization of the various fallacies.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
And when debating with someone who repeatedly relies on fallacious arguments despite your best efforts to point out the error in their logic, it's best to take the upper road and refrain from sending them http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/youare" .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes Borg, jim mcnamara and Enigman
https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/ lists the next set of conferences 2026 Winter Meeting - January 17 - 19, Las Vegas, Nevada 2026 Summer Meeting - July 18 - 22, Pasadena, California 2027 Winter Meeting - January 9 - 12, New Orleans, Louisiana 2027 Summer Meeting - July 31 - August 4, Washington, DC I won't be attending the 2026 Winter Meeting in Las Vegas... For me, it's too close to the start of the semester. https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/wm2026/index.cfm...
Back
Top