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The False Dilemma Fallacyīy splitting complex issues into two sides that are fundamentally opposite to one another, this common fallacy deceives. Our CEO Laura says this is the best course of action, so we should stick with it even though our Q3 results were significantly lower than usual. It doesn’t necessarily follow that something is true just because a powerful person thinks it is. Having a credible authority back up your claim can enhance an already persuasive argument, but it cannot serve as the main thrust of your case. While not always incorrect, putting too much trust in one person’s judgment, particularly when that person is trying to validate something outside of their area of expertise, can quickly turn appeals to authority into a dangerous strategy. The existence of contradictory evidence or the qualifications of the population validating the argument is not taken into account in such arguments.īecause most people believe that businesses should spend more money on billboards, they are objectively the best form of advertising. Popularity is often a stand-alone defense of an argument’s validity. It is not true just because a sizable percentage of people hold that belief. Jessica asked, “You’re recommending that we allocate our resources to outside sources instead of growing our underlying design team?” That might end up harming our business, I fear.
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Texas sharpshooter fallacy example professional#
John suggested that we contract with a professional to revamp our website. By presenting a version of your actual position that is superficially similar but ultimately unjustified, speakers who use this fallacy give the impression that they can easily defeat you rather than fully address it. The fallacy occurs when your opponent misrepresents or oversimplifies your argument in an effort to dispute or refute it. Common Fallacies With Examples The Straw Man Fallacy
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