2007-09-16 05:47:12 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A man made of straw.
2007-09-16 05:49:42 · answer #1 · answered by Mistress Woo♥ 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
A logical fallacy where you falsely attribute characteristics or points of view to the things you're arguing against.
For example starting a debate like "Pro-choice liberals hate children and want the entire human race to go extinct, therefore..."
That first statement is questionable and the second one is ridiculous, but some people actually believe this sort of crap. That's a "strawman". It refers to building a false opponent (out of straw or incorrect statements) , then knocking it down to falsely claim some level of victory.
If the opponent you've beaten in an argument is made up of your own misconceptions, assumptions ans stereotypes you've actually just wasted your time attacking a strawman.
2007-09-16 13:00:41 · answer #2 · answered by sgtcosgrove 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A misrepresentation of the truth for the purpose of argumentation.
A very common logical fallacy.
An example would be people saying that evolution couldn't have happened because "People didn't come from monkeys." That is a misrepresentation of the truth, because no one is saying that we "came from monkeys."
2007-09-16 12:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by I'm Still Here 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"The Straw Man fallacy is committed when a person simply ignores a person's actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position."
2007-09-16 13:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is something that is supposed to look like a man, but is not. Like a scarecrow for example.
2007-09-16 12:50:46 · answer #5 · answered by Mutations Killed Darwin Fish 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the one who went with Dorothy to Oz for a brain?
2007-09-16 12:50:50 · answer #6 · answered by firechap20 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an argument one builds on collapsible foundations. One then ascribes this argument to his opponent and then proceeds to destroy it.
2007-09-16 12:51:13 · answer #7 · answered by What? Me Worry? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The person above me said it best... Bluetick
2007-09-16 12:51:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I geuss his name is Juan because all my kids say, "Juan did it too!"
2007-09-16 12:51:32 · answer #9 · answered by Chapter and Verse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋