Difference between revisions of "Straw-man advocacy"

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(post-move updates & clarifications; SMW; related to "false advocacy")
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'''also known as''': [[Straw-man packing]], referring to the idea of "packing" one side of a debate with straw-man advocates
 
'''also known as''': [[Straw-man packing]], referring to the idea of "packing" one side of a debate with straw-man advocates
 
===Examples===
 
===Examples===
The primary example of this technique is the consistent straw-manning of the [[9/11 truth movement]], resulting in widespread [[9/11 anomaly denial]]; there are probably others, however.
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The primary example of this technique is the consistent straw-manning of the [[9/11 truth]] movement, resulting in widespread [[9/11 anomaly denial]]; there are probably others, however.

Revision as of 13:33, 19 March 2013

About

Straw-man advocacy is a propaganda technique in which opponents of a particular position pretend to argue for that position using especially weak, ineffective, or foolish arguments, i.e. straw men, so as to lead uninformed onlookers to assume that the given view is only supported by weak and foolish arguments -- and therefore to dismiss anyone arguing that view regardless of whether they may have strong or valid arguments to support it.

It is a form of false advocacy.

A related technique often used in the mainstream media to discredit a position is to focus discussion on only the weakest arguments for that position. For any given position, it is generally easy to find people who will sincerely put forth absolutely terrible arguments for their position, thus providing real live "straw men" to attack in a believable way.

also known as: Straw-man packing, referring to the idea of "packing" one side of a debate with straw-man advocates

Examples

The primary example of this technique is the consistent straw-manning of the 9/11 truth movement, resulting in widespread 9/11 anomaly denial; there are probably others, however.