Difference between revisions of "Argument by contradiction"

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(Created page with "<hide> page type::article thing type::rhetorical deception category:rhetorical deceptions </hide> ==About== Argument by contradiction is any form of argument in w...")
 
 
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[[thing type::rhetorical deception]]
 
[[thing type::rhetorical deception]]
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[[category:rhetorical deceptions]]
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[[thing type::dismissal]]
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[[category:rhetorical deception]]
 
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==About==
 
==About==
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[[Argument by contradiction]] is any form of argument in which the arguer simply re-asserts that their position is true. It is often accompanied by some form of prop to make it seem more substantial, in which case it is a form of [[rhetorical deception]].
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[[Argument by contradiction]] is any form of [[argument]] in which the [[argument/defender|defender]] simply re-asserts that their position is true without [[addressing the substance]] of an [[argument/attacker|attack]]; as such, it is a form of [[dismissal]]. It is basically the use of a [[naked assertion]] in response to a counterargument.
  
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'''Example''':
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As [[refers to::Monty Python]] [[youtube:kQFKtI6gn9Y|once observed]]:
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* '''A''': X is true.
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<blockquote>An argument is a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition. ... It isn't just saying "no it isn't"!</blockquote>
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* '''B''': No it isn't; we agreed that Y is true, and X can't be true if Y is true.
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===Deception===
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* '''A''': Actually, studies show that X is not true even when Y is true.
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An [[argument by contradiction]] is often accompanied by some form of prop to make it seem more substantial, in which case it is arguably a form of [[rhetorical deception]].
  
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In this case, A is combining a reassertion of their original position with an [[argument from authority]] ("studies show") to distract B's attention from the fact that A is basically saying "Yes it is". Unless A presents the data from those studies, this is an argument based on the presumed authority of a study whose validity cannot be examined.
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Examples:
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* "No, you're wrong.": simple contradiction, unless followed by an explanation
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As [[references::Monty Python]] [[youtube:kQFKtI6gn9Y|once observed]]:
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* "Studies show that you're wrong.": [[argument from authority]], unless data from those studies is introduced
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<blockquote>An argument is a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition. ... It isn't just saying "no it isn't"!</blockquote>
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* "I don't accept your hypothesis.": simple contradiction with larger words
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* "We don't believe this is true.": argument from authority sprinkled lightly with [[appeal to common belief]]
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==Note==
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This might be better described as [[argument by repetition]].

Latest revision as of 12:58, 3 August 2021

About

Argument by contradiction is any form of argument in which the defender simply re-asserts that their position is true without addressing the substance of an attack; as such, it is a form of dismissal. It is basically the use of a naked assertion in response to a counterargument.

As Monty Python once observed:

An argument is a connected series of statements to establish a definite proposition. ... It isn't just saying "no it isn't"!

Deception

An argument by contradiction is often accompanied by some form of prop to make it seem more substantial, in which case it is arguably a form of rhetorical deception.

Examples:

  • "No, you're wrong.": simple contradiction, unless followed by an explanation
  • "Studies show that you're wrong.": argument from authority, unless data from those studies is introduced
  • "I don't accept your hypothesis.": simple contradiction with larger words
  • "We don't believe this is true.": argument from authority sprinkled lightly with appeal to common belief

Note

This might be better described as argument by repetition.

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