MODR 1760 Study Guide - Fallacy, Syntactic Ambiguity
13 May 2014
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Error rests in use of slanted language that re-affirms what we wish to prove, but have not yet proved. Example: mudslinging, name calling, loaded words, controversial phrases. In question- begging epithets, the arguer uses biased (often emotional) language to persuade people rather than using logic. This suspect is charged with killing the other person. This criminal is charged with violently murdering the innocent victim question begging epithets. Consider this phrase: evolution vs. creationism. by attaching -ism to the end of creation but not to evolution, the person is subtly suggesting that creation is merely a belief, whereas evolution is not. But he or she has made no argument for this. Creationists believe that the universe is young, but the best scientists tell us that it is billions of years old. By using the adjective to describe those scientists who believe in an old universe, this argument uses biased language rather than logic to persuade.
