Question

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Jonathan Thomas

What Fallacy is this?

You do have reason to believe I have had miracles. Because you are not an idiot who is incapable of judging truth and lie.



I'm discussing miracles with someone and this is a statement made by the other person. I think it's a False Dichotomy and there is no good way to answer this. I have to agree or else I'm an idiot who is incapable of judging truth or lies. This seems incredibly unfair and there are other possibilities.

Is this a False Dichotomy ?
asked on Wednesday, May 08, 2019 10:46:16 PM by Jonathan Thomas

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Answers

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Abdulazeez
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answered on Thursday, May 09, 2019 06:43:48 AM by Abdulazeez

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Bo Bennett, PhD
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Yes. It is an implied false dichotomy . In addition, an implied ad hominem and perhaps even a sprinkle of argument by intimidation .
answered on Thursday, May 09, 2019 06:45:17 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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mchasewalker
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I believe Miracles happen because I've experienced them.
You're not an idiot so you know I speak the truth
Therefore you also have reason to believe in miracles

Hmmmm, I smell a bit of Ad hoc rescue with a
smidgen of Appeal to Flattery:

Appeal to Flattery
(also known as: apple polishing, wheel greasing, brown nosing, appeal to pride / argumentum ad superbiam, appeal to vanity)

Description: When an attempt is made to win support for an argument, not by the strength of the argument, but by using flattery on those whom you want to accept your argument. This fallacy is often the cause of people getting tricked into doing something they don’t really want to do.

Logical Form:

X is true.
(flattery goes here)
Therefore, X is true.
Example #1:

You should certainly be the one who washes the dishes -- you are just so good at it!
Explanation: You may be great at washing dishes, but that fact in itself is not a sufficient reason for you being the one to wash the dishes. Is it necessary for someone as skilled at dish-washing as you to do the job, or is it a mindless job that anyone can do just fine?

Example #2:

Salesguy: You should definitely buy this car. You look so good in it -- you look at least ten years younger behind that wheel.
Tamera: I’ll take it!
Explanation: The comment about looking ten years younger just because of the car is obvious flattery and not a fact. This would not qualify as a valid reason for making such a purchase.

Exception: Sincere praise is not flattery and is universally appreciated[1]. However, even praise in itself, without reason, is a fallacy, unless the argument is directly related to the sincere praise.

You are a stunningly beautiful girl -- you should be a model.
Tip: Flattery might get you somewhere, but it’s usually a place you don’t want to be.
answered on Thursday, May 09, 2019 12:55:00 PM by mchasewalker

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