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Kostas Oikonomou

Subverted Support origin

Why is it called "subverted support"? "Subvert" as "undermine"? How is the name descriptive of the fallacy? I can see the "Support" part, because you're trying to explain some phenomenon, but the "phenomenon does not actually occur" how is it presented in the name of the fallacy? 

asked on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 12:22:51 PM by Kostas Oikonomou

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Bo Bennett, PhD
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To me, to undermine (lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously) the concept of support makes sense given the definition. If one should be supporting their argument and they pull this fallacy, they are undermining or subverting the idea of having to (legitimately / non-fallaciously) support the argument.

At least that is how I see it.

answered on Monday, Sep 28, 2020 03:19:13 PM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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Kostas Oikonomou writes:

But most fallacious tactics are attempting to trap the audience rather than support a claim, thus undermining the idea of support. Ad hominem, No true scotchman, Red Herring, Strawman, Hedging etc., all these are trying to divert the focus from supporting the claim. Each fallacious tactic should have some descriptive name other than being fallacious. Of course, I'm not implying it's your fault, but whoever chose the name, I think did a poor job. The Subverted Support is more like Ad Hoc Rescue (for the firmament example) making stuff up, only to justify stuff that doesn't exist. I think the name should focus more on the non-existence and the making stuff up, rather than the motivation behind the tactic. Anyway, thanks for your reply! It is helpful for me because now I have a way to at least remember an otherwise non-descriptive name.

posted on Tuesday, Sep 29, 2020 12:18:01 PM
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Bo Bennett, PhD writes:
[To Kostas Oikonomou]

If it were up to me, I would rename 1/2 of the fallacies. But like a dictionary, I mostly go by common usage.

[ login to reply ] posted on Tuesday, Sep 29, 2020 04:28:13 PM
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Kostas Oikonomou writes:
[To Bo Bennett, PhD]

Well said! I agree.

[ login to reply ] posted on Wednesday, Sep 30, 2020 07:58:08 PM