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The Black-or-White Fallacy is a seemingly paradoxical fallacy in that it is a validating form of argument, that is, every instance of it is valid. It is, however, not the only informal fallacy with this surprising characteristic as Begging the Question is also validating.
A false dilemma, also referred to as false dichotomy or false binary, is an informal fallacy based on a premise that erroneously limits what options are available. The source of the fallacy lies not in an invalid form of inference but in a false premise.
The black-white fallacy is a false dilemma fallacy that limits you unfairly to only two choices, as if you were made to choose between black and white. Real life is often not so black and white. What about part black and part white? What about the gray?
Sometimes called the “either-or” fallacy, a false dilemma is a logical fallacy that presents only two options or sides to an issue when there are actually more complexities. Essentially, a false dilemma presents a “black and white” kind of thinking when there are many shades of gray.
- Ad hominem ("to the man") refers to an attack on the person; for example, regarding their past or personal traits, as a means of undermining/opposing their argument, without having to provide any evidence.
- Anecdotal Evidence is personal experience. Anecdotes can be a very powerful tool of persuasion but are a weak basis for an argument. We cannot generalize one person’s experience to the population at large.
- The Appeal to Authority can be tricky because it’s not always illogical. It would be wrong to think something is true just because an authority figure said it is; however, if it was an authority who is an expert in the field relevant to the issue, then it might be illogical to believe the opposite.
- An Appeal to Emotion aims to manipulate emotions or evoke an affective response to gain acceptance, as opposed to using logically compelling evidence.
Jul 24, 2023 · False dilemma fallacy is also known as false dichotomy, false binary, and “either-or” fallacy. It is the fallacy of presenting only two choices, outcomes, or sides to an argument as the only possibilities, when more are available.
The either/or fallacy goes by a variety of names. It is sometimes called the false dilemma fallacy, the black and white fallacy, or the fallacy of false alternatives. It often results from what is called all-or-none thinking. These names reflect the nature of the fallacy.
