Tuesday, August 4

Fallacy of the month

A weak man is similar to a straw man, but involves setting up the opposition’s weakest (or one of its weakest) arguments or proponents for attack, while ignoring inconvenient stronger ones. Given the rancid state of the right these days, lefties have had ample opportunity to indulge in this fallacy.

Don't get me wrong, it is appropriate to occasionally bat down your opposition's weak arguments and weak proponents, especially when they substitute volume for soundness.

But for constructive and good faith debate, focus should be on the more sane and thoughtful positions. Conor Friedersdorf has a useful case in point.

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