Difference between revisions of "Naked assertion"
(Created page with "<hide> page type::article thing type::rhetorical deception category:rhetorical deceptions </hide> ==About== In debate, a naked assertion is a claim present...") |
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* "A careful and objective analysis of the available evidence suggests that ''[!X]'' is by far the most likely occurrence." | * "A careful and objective analysis of the available evidence suggests that ''[!X]'' is by far the most likely occurrence." | ||
* "Even if ''[X.premise]'' is true, ''[!X]'' seems orders of magnitude more likely than any sort of ''[X]''. | * "Even if ''[X.premise]'' is true, ''[!X]'' seems orders of magnitude more likely than any sort of ''[X]''. | ||
| + | ==Links== | ||
| + | ===Reference=== | ||
| + | * {{!in|wikipedia}} | ||
| + | * {{!in|rationalwiki}} | ||
| + | * [http://www.freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Logical_Fallacies_by_Todangst#Naked_Assertions_and_Related_Fallacies FreeThoughtPedia] | ||
| + | ===Essays=== | ||
| + | * [http://www.worldofdreamers.com/scientific_method.shtml Believe in the Scientific Method? Why or Why Not?] "This form of argument is known as a naked assertion, which is when an argument is made by asserting the explanation without empirical evidence, or with incoherent logic." (links to FreeThoughtPedia for definition of "naked assertion") | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 19 March 2013
About
In debate, a naked assertion is a claim presented with no supporting evidence. Naked assertions are often phrased in such a way as to sound informed, authoritative, or objective, but the surrounding verbiage adds nothing to the argument.
Naked assertions are like a circular argument of zero circumference, i.e. they don't even attempt to assert a premise from which a conclusion can be drawn, but merely assert the conclusion with a bit of window-dressing added.
Valid Usage
Although it is not a valid form of argument, it is perfectly reasonable to make a naked assertion as a statement of opinion within the context of an informal discussion. This should not affect the outcome of any debate taking place, however.
Examples
Where a conclusion X is being argued against:
- "A careful and objective analysis of the available evidence suggests that [!X] is by far the most likely occurrence."
- "Even if [X.premise] is true, [!X] seems orders of magnitude more likely than any sort of [X].
Links
Reference
Essays
- Believe in the Scientific Method? Why or Why Not? "This form of argument is known as a naked assertion, which is when an argument is made by asserting the explanation without empirical evidence, or with incoherent logic." (links to FreeThoughtPedia for definition of "naked assertion")