Difference between revisions of "False dilemma"
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* All-or-nothing thinking (a recognized form of [[Wikipedia:cognitive distortion|cognitive distortion]] in [[Wikipedia:cognitive therapy|cognitive therapy]]), also known as black-and-white thinking | * All-or-nothing thinking (a recognized form of [[Wikipedia:cognitive distortion|cognitive distortion]] in [[Wikipedia:cognitive therapy|cognitive therapy]]), also known as black-and-white thinking | ||
* either-or dichotomy | * either-or dichotomy | ||
| + | * ignoring the moderate, ignoring the middle | ||
This is related to the [[rhetorical technique]] of [[choice between extremes]], where any other options may have actually been ''made unavailable'', rather than simply being ignored or dismissed by the arguer. | This is related to the [[rhetorical technique]] of [[choice between extremes]], where any other options may have actually been ''made unavailable'', rather than simply being ignored or dismissed by the arguer. | ||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
* {{Wikipedia|false dilemma}} | * {{Wikipedia|false dilemma}} | ||
Revision as of 18:22, 23 January 2006
A false dilemma is an argument "in which two alternative points of view are held to be the only options" (W) when in fact other options are available.
This fallacy comes in several flavors:
- "You're either with me, or you're against me." (Or, more mildly, "You're either with us, or you aren't.")
- "You're either part of the solution, or you're part of the problem."
- All-or-nothing thinking (a recognized form of cognitive distortion in cognitive therapy), also known as black-and-white thinking
- either-or dichotomy
- ignoring the moderate, ignoring the middle
This is related to the rhetorical technique of choice between extremes, where any other options may have actually been made unavailable, rather than simply being ignored or dismissed by the arguer.