Reverse straw man: Difference between revisions

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= See also =
= See also =


* [[Shawn Huckabay]], “[https://shawnhuckabay.substack.com/p/comedy-as-motte-and-bailey Comedy As Motte-and-Bailey]”
* [[No true Scotsman]]
* [[No true Scotsman]]
* http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/170907/opposite-logical-fallacy-to-straw-man
* http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/170907/opposite-logical-fallacy-to-straw-man

Revision as of 18:52, 12 February 2023

The reverse straw man fallacy is the opposite of the straw man fallacy. It is also called an iron man fallacy [1] (not to be confused with steel man [2]) or a Motte-and-bailey fallacy[3]. Consider two propositions:

  • A, which is hard to attack ;
  • B, which is easy to attack.

Whereas the straw man fallacy consists in attacking proposition A by attacking instead proposition B, the reverse straw man consists in defending proposition B by defending proposition A.

It’s a form of non sequitur: accepting A would imply to accept B, or a form of equivocation.

In its extreme form (antonym fallacy), proposition B is the exact opposite of A, thus akin to the Schrödinger’s razor fallacy (defending A and non-A at the same time).

The reverse straw man then consists in getting a proposition accepted by arguing in favor of its opposite, by playing on definitions, using intermediate anti-conceptual definitions (definition by non-essentials) or even intellectual package dealings.

Examples

barking cat

borders

examples

imperialism, anti-war

proper government

See also