Difference between revisions of "Dismissive statement"

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Revision as of 14:59, 7 August 2011

About

A dismissive statement is any statement which negates the value of an opposing argument without actually addressing any of its substance. Although it is not actually a valid form of argument, it is frequently phrased in such a way that it might be mistaken for one; this usage is a form of rhetorical deception.

Argument by collective dismissal is an especially severe form of this, in which multiple points are dismissed as a group without any of them being addressed.

Varieties

Examples

  • "We don't find any persuasive, affirmative evidence that this is true.", when in fact evidence has been presented. (Philip Zelikow)

Query

Possibly this is a form of incomplete argument. Are there other types, or does "incomplete argument" generally boil down to "dismissal"?