Asked by Tiffiny arnold on May 22, 2024
Verified
The fallacy of equivocation occurs when someone:
A) uses a premise that is known to be a lie
B) uses the same premise twice in an argument
C) who is not an expert on a subject claims to be an expert
D) switches the meaning of a word in the middle of an argument
E) uses a proposition as support for itself in an argument
Switches Meaning
To change or alter the definition or perception of a word or phrase within a context.
Equivocation
The misleading use of a term with more than one meaning or sense.
- Identify and become familiar with a variety of logical fallacies.
- Detect the exploitation of language in the creation of misleading arguments.
Verified Answer
CD
Camryn De-BoMay 27, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a person switches the meaning of a word or term in the middle of an argument, leading to confusion or a false conclusion. This often happens when a term has multiple meanings or connotations, and the person uses different meanings interchangeably without acknowledging the difference. For example, if someone argued that "banks are very unstable because they sit on banks of a river," they would be equivocating between the two meanings of the word "banks" (financial institutions vs. land formations).
Learning Objectives
- Identify and become familiar with a variety of logical fallacies.
- Detect the exploitation of language in the creation of misleading arguments.