Is there a name for being wrongly accused of a fallacy.
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Original Question
In this case I'm not referring to an argument from fallacy, since this means your statement has a fallacy but your argument is sound the person wrongly accuses you of a fallacy and attempts to discredit your argument.
Example:
Person 1 states a general rule as should be "typically followed"
Person 2 states "I know of x contrary example so you are using a sweeping generalization, so you're wrong"
Example:
Person 1 states a general rule as should be "typically followed"
Person 2 states "I know of x contrary example so you are using a sweeping generalization, so you're wrong"
Answers
3I would argue that a false accusation of fallacy could be a form of ad hominem (circumstantial).
Ad Hominem (Circumstantial)
argumentum ad hominem
Description: Suggesting that the person who is making the argument is biased or predisposed to take a particular stance, and therefore, the argument is necessarily invalid.
Logical Form:
Person 1 is claiming Y.
Person 1 has a vested interest in Y being true. (In that they are purposefully being fallacious or deceptive)
Therefore, Y is false.
Ad Hominem (Circumstantial)
argumentum ad hominem
Description: Suggesting that the person who is making the argument is biased or predisposed to take a particular stance, and therefore, the argument is necessarily invalid.
Logical Form:
Person 1 is claiming Y.
Person 1 has a vested interest in Y being true. (In that they are purposefully being fallacious or deceptive)
Therefore, Y is false.
If you're asking whether or not there's a fallacy name for wrongly accusing an argument of a fallacy, then no there isn't because a false accusation of a fallacy seems like a factual error and not a reasoning error. Here's how someone might want to discredit an argument by accusing it of a fallacy:
P1: Your argument commits fallacy X.
Conclusion: your argument is invalid.
This argument is valid, but if there is a false accusation of a fallacy, then premise one becomes false, and thus is a factual error, not a fallacy.
P1: Your argument commits fallacy X.
Conclusion: your argument is invalid.
This argument is valid, but if there is a false accusation of a fallacy, then premise one becomes false, and thus is a factual error, not a fallacy.
When you say "typically followed," you are hedging your bets and admitting that your rule has exceptions. Therefore, your opponent just misses the point.
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