Difference between revisions of "Dismissive statement"
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==About== | ==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]]. | + | A [[dismissive statement]] is any statement which negates the value of an opposing [[argument]] without actually [[address the content|addressing any of its substance]]. |
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| + | 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. | [[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. | ||
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===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
* "We don't find any persuasive, affirmative evidence that this is true.", when in fact evidence has been presented. ([[Snowshoe Films/Zelikow/part 2|Philip Zelikow]]) | * "We don't find any persuasive, affirmative evidence that this is true.", when in fact evidence has been presented. ([[Snowshoe Films/Zelikow/part 2|Philip Zelikow]]) | ||
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==Query== | ==Query== | ||
Possibly this is a form of [[incomplete argument]]. Are there other types, or does "incomplete argument" generally boil down to "dismissal"? | Possibly this is a form of [[incomplete argument]]. Are there other types, or does "incomplete argument" generally boil down to "dismissal"? | ||
Revision as of 16:42, 4 November 2013
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
- argument from irrelevance: "I don't see how that's relevant." when the original argument has specifically named one or more points of relevance
- argument from unimportance: "There are more important things to worry about."
- argument by contradiction: "No, you're wrong." "I don't accept that hypothesis."
- argument from overabundance: "You have too many points, I can't address them all." -- so I'm not going to address any of them.
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"?