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What is the fallacy of false equivalence?

The fallacy of false equivalence (also referred to as a fallacy of inconsistency) is an equivalence drawn between two subjects, using flawed or false reasoning. The user of this fallacy makes two things sound alike – usually like they’re both the same thing – while they really aren’t.

How do you avoid using false equivalences?

To avoid using false equivalences, you should make sure that whenever you equate two or more things with one another, you have proper justification as to why the things in question are equivalent, based on relevant criteria.

What is an equivalence and why is it bad?

The equivalence ignores important differences between the things being equated. For example, this could involve mentioning a way in which two people are similar to one another, while ignoring the many ways in which they are different.

What is an example of equivalence?

The equivalence exaggerates the importance of the similarity between the things being equated. For example, this could involve focusing on a personality trait that two people share, while ignoring the fact that many other people also share this trait.

Is a false equivalence?

False equivalence is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone incorrectly asserts that two or more things are equivalent, simply because they share some characteristics, despite the fact that there are also notable differences between them.

What is an example of false analogy?

A false analogy is a type of informal fallacy. It states that since Item A and Item B both have Quality X in common, they must also have Quality Y in common. For example, say Joan and Mary both drive pickup trucks. Since Joan is a teacher, Mary must also be a teacher.

What is moral equivalence fallacy?

Moral equivalence is a term used in political arguments or debate. It is an informal fallacy. The phrase describes a kind of indirect proof, but the reasoning is flawed because it distorts issues.

What is the fallacy of comparison?

What Is The ‘Comparison Fallacy’? The Comparison Fallacy assumes that it’s possible to compare your skills, priorities, goals, and results with other people in an accurate and useful manner. Other people are not you, and you are not other people.

Why do we use false analogy?

Analogies are commonly used for illustrative purposes to make a complex process or idea easier to understand. Analogies become false or faulty when they are overextended or presented as conclusive proof.

Why is straw man a fallacy?

Straw person is the misrepresentation of an opponent’s position or a competitor’s product to tout one’s own argument or product as superior. This fallacy occurs when the weakest version of an argument is attacked while stronger ones are ignored.

What is an example of a non sequitur?

If someone asks what it’s like outside and you reply, “It’s 2:00,” you’ve just used a non sequitur — a statement that does not follow what was being discussed.

What is an example of equivocation?

The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument. Examples: I have the right to watch “The Real World.” Therefore it’s right for me to watch the show.

What is an example of a straw man argument?

For example, if someone says “I think that we should give better study guides to students”, a person using a strawman might reply by saying “I think that your idea is bad, because we shouldn’t just give out easy A’s to everyone”.

What is hominem fallacy?

(Attacking the person): This fallacy occurs when, instead of addressing someone’s argument or position, you irrelevantly attack the person or some aspect of the person who is making the argument.

What is it called when you compare two things that are not alike?

What is an analogy? An analogy is a comparison made to show how two different things are similar, especially in limited ways. An analogy is a technique frequently used in literature to explain something by comparing it to something else (a literary device).

What are some examples of ad hominem?

Ad Hominem ExamplesA politician arguing that his opponent cannot possibly be a good choice for women because he has a religious conviction that causes him to be pro-life.A lawyer who argues that his client should not be held responsible for theft because he is poor.More items…

What is an example of false cause?

The questionable cause—also known as causal fallacy, false cause, or non causa pro causa (“non-cause for cause” in Latin)—is a category of informal fallacies in which a cause is incorrectly identified. For example: “Every time I go to sleep, the sun goes down.

What is an example of false authority?

A false authority with no credentials or expertise. For example, a layperson with no medical training who tries to give out medical advice based on their uninformed opinion might be considered a false authority with no credentials.

What is an example of a weak analogy?

Examples of Weak Analogy Fallacy: I am going to be a doctor, just like my dad. I am not going to anything that is green. My car is better since it has more horsepower than your car. The moon is like a balloon since both have air inside them.

What is an example of a straw man argument?

For example, if someone says “I think that we should give better study guides to students”, a person using a strawman might reply by saying “I think that your idea is bad, because we shouldn’t just give out easy A’s to everyone”.

Why are false equivalences used?

Because false equivalences are so widely used, it’s important to understand them. As such, in the following article you will learn more about …

What are some examples of false equivalences?

A simple example of a false equivalence is saying that a knife and dynamite are both tools that can be used as weapons, so they’re pretty much the same thing , and therefore if we allow people to buy knives at the store, then we should also allow them to also buy dynamite.

What is the fallacy of two things being equal?

False equivalence is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone incorrectly asserts that two or more things are equivalent, simply because they share some characteristics, despite the fact that there are also notable differences between them.

What is the fallacy of false balance?

False balance is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone suggests that , if there are two or more opposing positions on a certain topic, then the truth must rest somewhere in the middle between them.

Why should you explain the equivalence in question?

If necessary, you should explicitly explain why you believe that the equivalence in question is reasonable. This will help you ensure that your equivalence is indeed reasonable, and help you demonstrate this to the people that you’re talking to.

What is equivalence in psychology?

The equivalence exaggerates the degree of similarity between the things being equated. For example, this could involve stating that two people share a certain personality trait, while ignoring the fact that they only share certain aspects of this trait but not others.

How to avoid false equivalences?

To avoid using false equivalences, you should make sure that whenever you equate two or more things with one another, you have proper justification as to why the things in question are equivalent, based on relevant criteria.

What is false equivalence?

False equivalence is an argument that two things are much the same when in fact they are not. The following are illustrative examples.

What is false assertion?

The false assertion that two things are opposites. For example, “either you agree with our ideology or you are against equality.”

What is wronger than wrong?

Wronger Than Wrong. Wronger than wrong is the suggestion that a minor wrong is equivalent to a major wrong. This was proposed by writer Isaac Asimov as follows “When people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical, they were wrong.

Why is it wrong to assume a conclusion?

Assuming a conclusion is wrong because a particular argument for it is a fallacy. In other words, falsely equating the conclusion and the argument.

Why are false equivalencies used?

False equivalencies are a type of fallacy because they exaggerate the similarities or downplay the differences between two or more things in order to draw some kind of comparison. False equivalencies are a broad category of fallacies and can be used to draw comparison between many types of things.

How to respond to a false equivalence fallacy?

There are a couple of ways you could go about responding to a false equivalence fallacy. The general strategy is to show why the equivalence is not an apt comparison.

What are false equivalencies in the discussion of racism?

Discussions About Racism. False equivalencies are often deployed in discussions about racism as a way to minimize and deflect away from the experiences and suffering of oppressed groups, or to deny that systemic racism against minorities in society exists.

Why is the argument that guns and cars are the same thing is fallacious?

This argument is fallacious because it draws a false equivalence between guns and cars based simply on the fact that they can be used to hurt people. True, both cars and guns can hurt people. The main difference is that guns are designed specifically to kill whereas cars are not.

What is false equivalence in gun control debates?

A very common false equivalence in debates about gun control attempts to equate all kinds of objects that can cause violence as fundamentally the same:

Why are false equivalences pernicious?

This kind of “both sides-ism” is particularly pernicious because it trains us to ignore relevant differences between things when convenient.

Why is theft a false equivalence?

However, one could argue that this argument commits a false equivalence because theft and taxation are not similar in the relevant respects. Theft involves taking without agreement or without compensation. Taxation is something decided on by a democratic government and you are compensated by the things that the taxes pay for. The two things are different enough that they are not actually morally equivalent.

When to use false equivalency?

False equivalency, which typically exaggerates correlations and avoids essential distinctions, may be used to reconcile a broad variety of objects, including people, classes, acts or arguments, either indirectly or directly. Consequently, False equivalency is also used in discussions on different issues, particularly when it comes to implying that there is a moral equivalence between two or more objects that are being equal.

How to avoid false equivalence?

In order to prevent using False equivalency, you can make sure that if you compare two or more objects to one another, you have adequate reasoning as to whether the things in question are equal, depending on the applicable parameters. If possible, you can clarify clearly why you conclude that the equivalence in question is rational. This will help you make sure that the equivalence is truly fair, and help you show the people you’re referring to. Also, bear in mind that you should use the same methods that you would use if you believed someone else was using a False equivalency, to make sure you don’t use one yourself.

How to use the False Equivalency fallacy?

For example, this could entail a false portrayal of the two sides in equivalence, with the use of cherry-picking, with the goal of making one side look more positive and the other more pessimistic than they actually are. If this occurs, you will usually benefit from fixing unique problems with these added flaws. If you do this depends on the falsity in question, since different falsities are countered in different ways. However one course of action that is useful in most situations is clearly to find out the logical error in the fallacious claim and to explain why it invalidates the argument.

Why is false equivalency assumed?

False equivalency is to be assumed because it is incorrect in any way, which means that there is a question of logic that is used to justify whether the objects under scrutiny are equal to one another.

What is the fallacy of two or more objects being identical?

False equivalency is a logical fallacy that happens when someone wrongly claims that two or more objects are identical merely because they share such features, ignoring the fact that there are still substantial variations between them. For example, a False equivalency is that cats and dogs are the same breed, since they are all mammals and have a tail.

false equivalence

When used on Reddit or other social media, a claim of false equivalence is not, as one might expect, pointing to a fallacy of inconsistency.

False equivalence

Used when a liberal has absolutely no comeback for your undeniable facts and comparisons. Employed when they have no rebuttal and completely run out of feelings.

Why does false equivalence work?

In the first example we used – the Decians and the Fractarians – the false equivalence worked because of moral confusion. (In the second example too.) Most people, sadly, are morally confused and are unwilling to take on the terrifying risk of making a moral judgment. By accepting moral equivalence, however, they can pretend that there really is no necessity of choice. And if the process is handled smoothly, they can be made to feel smart and/or enlightened.

What is the fallacy of false equivalence?

The fallacy of false equivalence (also referred to as a fallacy of inconsistency) is an equivalence drawn between two subjects, using flawed or false reasoning. The user of this fallacy makes two things sound alike – usually like they’re both the same thing – while they really aren’t. Here’s an example:

What is the first necessity when you are confused?

Probably the first necessity here is to recognize when you are confused; if we do that well enough, the false equivalence won’t be able to root within us. And when you do recognize your own confusion, you should be clear that any choice you make is merely the best you can do under the circumstances.

What to do when you see a fallacy being pushed upon yourself and others?

When you see this fallacy being pushed upon yourself and others, your first concern is to recognize what is happening. Then, if you want to engage with someone putting forth a false equivalence, go to our standard line: Wait, please. I want to understand what you’re saying. Are you saying that…

Is an abuser and a victim the same?

What it is, of course, is injustice: an abuser and a victim are very much not the same. The mediator doesn’t want to spend time and effort finding the truth. Or, perhaps, he’s pretty sure what the truth is, and dealing with it doesn’t suit his agenda.

Do humans have confusion?

Humans are intelligent creatures, and while they try not to admit it, they can sense their own confusion. And in that state, they’re willing to go for promises they wouldn’t in clear conditions. The train of thought goes rather like this:

Is false equivalence unjust?

The false equivalence is unjust, untrue, and a hazard to human thriving.

What is the meaning of equivalence?

English Language Learners Definition of equivalence. formal : the quality or state of being alike : the quality or state of having the same value, function, meaning, etc. See the full definition for equivalence in the English Language Learners Dictionary.

When was equivalence first used?

The first known use of equivalence was circa 1541. See more words from the same year. From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. ‘Equivocate’: What It Does and Doesn’t…

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What Makes An Equivalence False

Examples of False Equivalences

How to Respond to A False Equivalence

How to Avoid Using False Equivalences

Related Fallacy: False Balance

Summary and Conclusions