Is the following question to an argument a fallacy?
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Original Question
Someone replied to an analysis of current affairs I made with the question:
"Are you suggesting that this is a world wide conspiracy?"
My simple answer was "No."
I then followed my answer with some of my thoughts.
My immediate thought was that the question was fallacious because there was nowhere in my analysis where I suggested any such conjecture. The questioner said their response was in particular to a short paragraph, which again had no suggestion of any such conjecture. It occurred to me that the question could be applied to pretty much any observation, eg
A: "The farmer is feeding the pigs early."
B: "Are you suggesting that there is a world wide conspiracy?"
It seems designed to cast doubt on the credibility of the observer without any logical reasoning.
But it is a question.
I don't think it is a strawman, because the questioner is enquiring if (rather than asserting that) that is the claim I am making.
I don't think it is a 'loaded question fallacy' because I don't see the assumption, maybe I am missing it.
Is the question a fallacy? If so, which specific fallacy?
Answers
2If the questioner attempts to shift the conversation from the primary subject (your specific analysis) to something else (worldwide conspiracy), you are looking at the Fallacy of Diversion. Or, it could be an innocent, simple logical error on the part of the questioner.
Either way, I suggest the best response would be to ask upon what did he deduce you were suggesting a worldwide conspiracy? That would keep the discussion on track.
It's just a question. A question can be fallacious, depending on the context. For example, such a question can be used as a red herring by dodging the truth and focusing on the conspiratorial nature of the other person. It can also (possibly) be a strawman fallacy if the previous response did not reasonably imply a world wide conspiracy. I say possibly because questions can be honest inquiries for clarification. If the argument is misunderstood, the clarifying question will not accurately represent the the argument, but this is not fallacious.
Overall, I wouldn't label such a type of question a fallacy unless they persist with the conspiracy accusation even after clarification has been given. Then, it would be clear they have departed from reason and are focusing more on rhetoric.
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