Category: Teaching

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Attacking the Strawman

attacking the strawmanA strawman argument, or attacking a strawman, is a common type of fallacious argument. The strawman argument mischaracterizes an opponent’s position then attacks the distorted version of the opponent’s argument. Done intentionally, the strawman argument creates an appearance the issue was addressed when, in actuality, the true issue was avoided and only the false representation of the issue was addressed. Done unintentionally, the strawman argument is a product of misunderstanding the issue.

The strawman argument can be structured as follows:

Person 1 raises an issue, makes a point, or asserts an argument

Person 2 mischaracterizes the issue

Person 2 then refutes the mischaracterized version of the argument Continue reading Attacking the Strawman

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Argumentum Ad Populum

argumentum ad populum

Part of our Study Method includes reasoning and testing. To reason well, we must recognize and address fallacious arguments. Inwardly, many popular doctrines and traditions are defended with fallacious reasoning; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us determine if a doctrine or tradition is true and Biblical. Outwardly, many arguments against the faith are based on fallacious arguments; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us defend the faith and resist being broken down by the enemy.

Argumentum Ad Populum is a Latin phrase that means “argument to the people” or “appeal to the people”. This is a fallacious argument that attempts to prove something by citing how popular it is. The error in this argument is twofold: Continue reading Argumentum Ad Populum

argumentum ad populum

Part of our Study Method includes reasoning and testing. To reason well, we must recognize and address fallacious arguments. Inwardly, many popular doctrines and traditions are defended with fallacious reasoning; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us determine if a doctrine or tradition is true and Biblical. Outwardly, many arguments against the faith are based on fallacious arguments; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us defend the faith and resist being broken down by the enemy.

Argumentum Ad Populum is a Latin phrase that means “argument to the people” or “appeal to the people”. This is a fallacious argument that attempts to prove something by citing how popular it is. The error in this argument is twofold: Continue reading Argumentum Ad Populum

argumentum ad populum

Part of our Study Method includes reasoning and testing. To reason well, we must recognize and address fallacious arguments. Inwardly, many popular doctrines and traditions are defended with fallacious reasoning; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us determine if a doctrine or tradition is true and Biblical. Outwardly, many arguments against the faith are based on fallacious arguments; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us defend the faith and resist being broken down by the enemy.

Argumentum Ad Populum is a Latin phrase that means “argument to the people” or “appeal to the people”. This is a fallacious argument that attempts to prove something by citing how popular it is. The error in this argument is twofold: Continue reading Argumentum Ad Populum