← Back to archive

Accusation of Starting an Argument

Historical archive only. New interaction is disabled.

Original Question
Is this a fallacy?

Person A makes a claim. Person B presents an argument that disputes said claim. Person A says, "You're just trying to start an argument". (As if that's a bad thing.)

Feels like another example of ad hominem, but this could easily be directed at the dispute itself.

Answers

1
It would be a non sequitur . Even if person B is trying to start an argument, that is irrelevant to the strength of the counter argument made (and it does not address the counter argument). I wouldn't call it an ad hominem unless person A said "you are just an argumentative person" or something similar, attacking the person rather than the person's behavior, although some treat both as an ad hominem.
Book

Want the full book?

Get the complete guide to logical fallacies by Bo Bennett.

Buy the Book

Master Logical Fallacies Online

Take the Virversity course and sharpen your reasoning skills with structured lessons.

View Online Course