Difference between revisions of "Naked assertion"

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(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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==About==
 
==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.
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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, and [[objective]] without actually providing any supporting 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.
 
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.
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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]''.
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==Links==
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===Reference===
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* {{!in|wikipedia}}
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* {{!in|rationalwiki}}
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* [http://www.freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Logical_Fallacies_by_Todangst#Naked_Assertions_and_Related_Fallacies FreeThoughtPedia]
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===Essays===
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* [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")

Latest revision as of 13:22, 3 August 2021

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, and objective without actually providing any supporting 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")