One definition which might not have reached consensus.
(found it when tracking back the maori-thread)
Strawman Argument: (np) 1. Stating a misrepresented version of an
opponent's argument for the purpose of having an easier target to
knock down. A common, but deprecated, mode of argument.
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A Straw Man Argument is a statement you make if you want to more easily attack an
opposing position. You intentionally make a silly caricature of that position, one that no one
would believe, knock down that silly, unrealistic caricature, and then proclaim that the original
version of the argument has been demolished. This tactic fools a lot of people.
This is one of the most unethical and cowardly of debating tactics, since you have so little
confidence in your own position that you cannot even address the real position of your
opponent. At the heart of the Straw Man Argument is deception.
google.yahoo.com
Now what is a Tin Man argument, a lot of quacks of
euroserfs, etc,etc.? (we usually use empty barrels
to associate to a lot of empty noise, but some ducks in a
barrel would probably be almost as good, although unecessarily cruel)
Ilmarinen
Btw, thanks for pointing me to the yellow brick road
direction, also <g> a story on shortcomings and
improvements. (Oz is not "well known" in scandinavia) |
