Difference between revisions of "Black box argument"
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | [[Category:rhetorical deceptions]][[Category:terms of convenience]]A [[black box argument]] is any argument where the | + | [[Category:rhetorical deceptions]][[Category:terms of convenience]]A [[black box argument]] is any argument where the supporting details of the argument (premises and reasoning) are not open to debate. It is a form of [[rhetorical deception]] in that the lack of [[falsifiability]] means that [[emotional argument]]s are much more likely to be effective in convincing the audience to agree. |
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| + | The phrase "black box" refers to the [[wikipedia:Black box (systems)|systems]] concept of a device or other system whose internals are either unknown or irrelevant. | ||
[[Black box argument]]s include: | [[Black box argument]]s include: | ||
* [[argument from authority]]: the source of this argument cannot be wrong on this subject | * [[argument from authority]]: the source of this argument cannot be wrong on this subject | ||
| − | * the [[Chewbacca defense]]: the | + | * the [[Chewbacca defense]]: the argument is incomprehensible |
* the [[appeal to belief]]: everyone believes it, so it must be true | * the [[appeal to belief]]: everyone believes it, so it must be true | ||
[[Black box argument]]s do ''not'' include: | [[Black box argument]]s do ''not'' include: | ||
* the [[appeal to consensus]]: a true [[consensus]] involves discussion of lines of reasoning which can be further examined by those outside the consensus. If those lines of reasoning are not available for examination, then the consensus becomes simply an unsubstantiated [[belief]]. | * the [[appeal to consensus]]: a true [[consensus]] involves discussion of lines of reasoning which can be further examined by those outside the consensus. If those lines of reasoning are not available for examination, then the consensus becomes simply an unsubstantiated [[belief]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:12, 15 September 2007
Overview
A black box argument is any argument where the supporting details of the argument (premises and reasoning) are not open to debate. It is a form of rhetorical deception in that the lack of falsifiability means that emotional arguments are much more likely to be effective in convincing the audience to agree.
The phrase "black box" refers to the systems concept of a device or other system whose internals are either unknown or irrelevant.
Black box arguments include:
- argument from authority: the source of this argument cannot be wrong on this subject
- the Chewbacca defense: the argument is incomprehensible
- the appeal to belief: everyone believes it, so it must be true
Black box arguments do not include:
- the appeal to consensus: a true consensus involves discussion of lines of reasoning which can be further examined by those outside the consensus. If those lines of reasoning are not available for examination, then the consensus becomes simply an unsubstantiated belief.