Can you dismiss arguments on the grounds that they are fallacious?
Historical archive only. New interaction is disabled.
Original Question
I do not mean the conclusion can be dismissed as that be committing another fallacy called fallacy fallacy.
Answers
1Hi Scott,
As you correctly point out, fallacious arguments might have correct conclusions, such as "Vaccines do NOT cause autism, and if you think they do, then you're a jackass!" (ad hominem). I guess one could insist that the argument be rephrased without the fallacy, which often puts the arguer at an advantage if the audience is not aware of the fallacy. For example:
Person 1: "Vaccines do NOT cause autism, and if you think they do, then you're a jackass!"
Person 2: "I may be a jackass, but that is irrelevant to my claim. Tell me why vaccines do not cause autism if you want to have an intellectual conversation about this."
Perhaps another reason one can dismiss fallacious arguments is because they are the same fallacious arguments perpetuated that have been debunked so many times before. If people don't bother doing at least a little research, or they are clearly not operating using reason, I "choose not to engage" (rather than "dismiss"). For example:
Creationist: "Evolution is false because there are no transitional fossils." or "Evolution is false because Jesus is LORD."
Me: "Have a nice day."
As you correctly point out, fallacious arguments might have correct conclusions, such as "Vaccines do NOT cause autism, and if you think they do, then you're a jackass!" (ad hominem). I guess one could insist that the argument be rephrased without the fallacy, which often puts the arguer at an advantage if the audience is not aware of the fallacy. For example:
Person 1: "Vaccines do NOT cause autism, and if you think they do, then you're a jackass!"
Person 2: "I may be a jackass, but that is irrelevant to my claim. Tell me why vaccines do not cause autism if you want to have an intellectual conversation about this."
Perhaps another reason one can dismiss fallacious arguments is because they are the same fallacious arguments perpetuated that have been debunked so many times before. If people don't bother doing at least a little research, or they are clearly not operating using reason, I "choose not to engage" (rather than "dismiss"). For example:
Creationist: "Evolution is false because there are no transitional fossils." or "Evolution is false because Jesus is LORD."
Me: "Have a nice day."
Master Logical Fallacies Online
Take the Virversity course and sharpen your reasoning skills with structured lessons.
View Online Course