Equivocation Fallacy Explained, With Examples

One of the ways we are able to deceive ourselves comes from the words we use. The use of euphemisms, to be exact. Euphemisms allow us to disassociate ourselves from the impact of decisions or actions we might otherwise find distasteful or hard to live with.

Key Takeaways Understanding Fallacies: Fallacies are errors in reasoning or logic that can mislead or deceive. Recognizing them helps in both constructing and dissecting arguments effectively. Nuances in Detection: While some fallacies are blatant and easily recognizable, others, like the Appeal to Tradition or Moral Equivalence, require a more nua

In any given professional field, specialized jargon is often necessary in order to exchange information more succinctly and specifically; it makes communication clearer. But in a cultish atmosphere, jargon does just the opposite: Instead, it causes speakers to feel confused and intellectually deficient. That way, they’ll comply.

Hassan says that groups toward the destructive end use three kinds of deception: omission of what you need to know, distortion to make whatever they’re saying more acceptable, and outright lies.

irony—exploiting gaps between what’s said and what’s meant, between how things try to appear and how they really are—is the time-honored way artists seek to illuminate and explode hypocrisy.