fallacy

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fallacy,

in logic, a term used to characterize an invalid argument. Strictly speaking, it refers only to the transition from a set of premises to a conclusion, and is distinguished from falsity, a value attributed to a single statement. The laws of syllogisms were systematically elaborated by Aristotle, and for an argument to be valid, it must adhere to all the laws; to be fallacious, it need only break one (see syllogismsyllogism,
a mode of argument that forms the core of the body of Western logical thought. Aristotle defined syllogistic logic, and his formulations were thought to be the final word in logic; they underwent only minor revisions in the subsequent 2,200 years.
..... Click the link for more information. ). The term fallacy has come to be used in a somewhat wider sense than the purely formal one. Informal fallacies are said to occur when statements are ambiguous or vague as to the logical form they represent, or when a multiplicity of meaning is present and the validity of the argument depends on switching meanings of a word or a phrase in midstream.

fallacy

Logic an error in reasoning that renders an argument logically invalid

References in periodicals archive ?

Politicians/Leaders in times of war, in order to shape public opinion and to block criticism, present fallacious arguments.

Fallacious Arguments that led to Preemptive War in Iraq

Fallacious arguments are not to be disregarded only because they have been found, over time, to lead to bad decisions but also because, fundamentally, they work by violating implicit norms of rational argument and, thus, short-circuit the process of rational critical debate.

Tropes in the rhetoric of gun rights: a pragma-dialectic analysis

Not only is this a very bizarre and obviously fallacious argument, but it also directly contradicts Rand's definition of value as "that which one acts to gain and/or keep.

Tara Smith's Ayn Rand's Normative Ethics: a positive contribution to the literature on objectivism?

China's UN envoy Li Baodong responded that "the Japanese delegate once again brazenly distorted history, resorting to spurious fallacious arguments that defy all reason and logic to justify their aggression of Chinese territory.

Japan 'stole' our islands, says China

For, not all fallacious arguments really are persuasive--at least not in the sense needed here.

Sharon Bailin and Mark Battersby, Reason in the Balance: An Inquiry Approach to Critical Thinking

It is the fighters of the Swiss economy who must be protected, since it is they who protect jobs in Switzerland and promote job creation, as opposed to profiteers who want to do business with a so-called Swissness label and who, relying largely on fallacious arguments, try to prevent the introduction of a more rigorous legal situation.

Switzerland : Trademarks protection Yes to the "Swiss" brand and jobs in Switzerland

This is an erroneous theory based on fallacious arguments that the economy can shift people's identity through economic and infrastructure developments.

The LLRC and the prospects of reconcilation in Sri Lankan

In this case, my detractors are using fallacious arguments, lies.

Together, we can succeed in making Africa's voice heard

Sheikh defend his position, resorting sometimes to fallacious arguments like when he says that 2M represents and defends the Moroccan culture, what is most outraging, is to see some fellow Moroccans arguing that the Minister has no right to reduce the ubiquitous presence of French on Moroccan media.

Media Reform in Morocco: Minister El Khalfi versus the Francophone Lobby

I believe this project is of interest because it makes clear -contra Massey- that at least one part of a theory about invalidity, namely, the theory of formal invalidity, can help us to understand, treat, and explain, some fallacious arguments.

?Hay instancias validas de la falacia de afirmacion del consecuente?

The American public, having been tricked by their fallacious arguments and cynical propaganda into the Iraq War, does not want to hear from them.