“Just Being Mean”
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Original Question
Hi again Bo and community of logical fallacians,
“You disagree with him (or you don’t accept his argument) because you harbor hatred in your heart and you only want to see him fail. You’re just being mean. [Therefore your argument is invalid.]”
Ad Hominem - Abusive / Appeal to Motive, or are there other potential classifications?
Cheers!
+bonus if you can guess the original subject of the suspected fallacy.
“You disagree with him (or you don’t accept his argument) because you harbor hatred in your heart and you only want to see him fail. You’re just being mean. [Therefore your argument is invalid.]”
Ad Hominem - Abusive / Appeal to Motive, or are there other potential classifications?
Cheers!
+bonus if you can guess the original subject of the suspected fallacy.
Answers
2I would say that this is a claim based on perspective. If the person saying this were to add "I suspect" before the statement, I would see nothing wrong with it (logically). Of course, the person's opinion could be totally off-base. People who do harbor hatred or ill will towards another do have strong bias that often leads to disagreement with the person. This is not uncommon. I would say that this is a good opportunity to respond with "No, I disagree with him because he is making wild claims contrary to all known evidence such as..."
Bonus: Subject is Trump
Bonus: Subject is Trump
Unless there is clear evidence that the fellow is mean and hateful - I would call this the "I can mind-read" move.
Claiming to have special knowledge that one does not have access to. A belief, a kind of fake or pretend knowledge.
To which I would respond "I cannot see into peoples' hearts - I am not a mind reader - and neither are you.
Claiming to have special knowledge that one does not have access to. A belief, a kind of fake or pretend knowledge.
To which I would respond "I cannot see into peoples' hearts - I am not a mind reader - and neither are you.
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