Hoggirl Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I vaguely remember this from the Art of Argument (or some similar book). The example was that the mom asks the child to take out the trash and the kid retorts back with, "You don't think I can do anything right!" exaggerating the request. What's that called? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Straw Man fallacy? It's changing or exaggerating an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to refute or, refuting and unfairly weak or ridiculous version of your opponent's view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 However, a red herring is another possibility which is introducing an irrelevant/unrelated point into the argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 ad hominen - you are attacking the other person. Casting aspersions on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Texican Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Reductio ad absurdum, taking an oponents statement to a ridiculous extreme of what they actually said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 However, a red herring is another possibility which is introducing an irrelevant/unrelated point into the argument. I think this is correct. Straw Man, or exaggerating the position to the point of absurdity, would be "You expect me to do all the work in the house." "You don't think I do anything right" is unrelated to the original request. ETA, when I asked DD to clean her room, she once said I treated her like a maid. :glare: THAT would be a straw man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5of5 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I must be slow. What is the argument about? Is the kid trying to argue why they shouldn’t take the trash out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 10yo says either Straw Man or Red Herring - either way, totally changing the subject to distract from the original argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.