The Round Table

Going.

I always thought orthopedic shoes were overrated.
I stand corrected.....

TODAY’S FALLACY: STRAW MAN

DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION: A straw man argument misrepresents an opponent’s argument to make it easier to dismiss. The straw man can take many forms, but it often involves distorting, exaggerating, oversimplifying, or taking parts out of context, and can be quite effective if you’re not paying attention. By building a straw version of the original argument they can more easily knock it down and claim victory. However, it’s fallacious because they are attacking a position their opponent doesn’t hold.

Anti-science arguments often employ straw man fallacies, as it’s much easier to “defeat” strongly supported scientific conclusions when those conclusions are misrepresented.

HOW TO COUNTER: First, consider the possibility that the straw man argument was unintentional, and that the other person doesn’t understand the original argument. Sometimes, however, the straw man is a purposeful attempt to persuade others through deception. Either way, point out the use of the straw man by explaining how their version differs from your original position.

MORE ON THIS AND OTHER FALLACIES: https://thinkingispower.com/logical-fallacies/
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