Friday, September 17, 2010
Content Fallacies
One common content fallacy is false dilemma. False dilemma basically means, there are only two possible choices, and only one of them can be true. However this is false because in fact, there could be many unmentioned options that are true that make the claim false. One example of false dilemma is: “If the Chargers score at least 14 points this game, then they are going to win.” This means that if one option doesn’t happen, then the second option automatically has to happen. This was said during the beginning of the most recent game the San Diego Chargers played against the Kansas City Chiefs that I happened to be watching. This person automatically ruled out the fact that the Chargers could score 14 points and lose because they end up giving more than two touchdowns away, scoring on an interception and winning, or allowing the opposing offense to run touchdowns on them and other options. I guess the person figured the Chargers defense would be good enough to allow fewer point than 14 in a football game. However the Chargers did score 14 points and ended up losing 21-14. So this claim is false because there was a way for the Chargers to lose even though they scored at least 14 points in the game.
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I like the example you used, especially since it has to do with football. There are a lot of unconsidered elements that are unseen when we deal with false dilemmas. When we are predicting an outcome of such things as a football game, there are many possible outcomes. We cannot just predict that either event A is going to happen or even B. We are missing C,D,E, F and etc. I feel that False Dilemmas are the easiest to spot because they just don’t logically make sense and they do not follow rational discussion. Many false dilemmas are misleading and do not provide all options. They just provide two. I like how you introduced the fact that Chargers scored 14 points and still lost. Great logical reasoning and great post!
ReplyDeleteI liked your explanation of the false dilemma content fallacy. It is clear, concise, and I am able to comprehend the definition. That is also a fantastic example. Having been a football fan in the past, I used to hear these types of predictions and claims quite frequently. Like you listed in your blog, it is usually the individual having too much confidence in the team’s defense to prevent the opposing team from making a high final score. The false dilemmas usually leave the argument with only two options, but there is simply not enough support to make this type of claim.
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