What is the fallacy of equivocation and how can it be used to persuade an audience that a conclusion is true?
The fallacy of equivocation occurs whenever a word has one meaning in one premise and another meaning in another premise or the conclusion. Claims are guilty by association.
What is a premise fallacy?
The fallacy fallacy. False premises are a feature of informal logical fallacies in particular, which are logical fallacies that occur when there is a flaw in the premises of an argument, which renders the argument logically unsound.
How do you identify equivocation?
Equivocation is the deliberate use of vague or ambiguous language, with the intent of deceiving others or avoiding commitment to a specific stance. For example, when a person is asked a direct yes-or-no question, and gives a vague response that doesn’t answer the question, that person is equivocating.
How is equivocation used in Macbeth?
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the theme of equivocation to effectively illustrate the evil nature of the witches. Equivocation is the use of ambiguous expressions in order to mislead. There is also Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, and Donalbain, and perhaps even Banquo. …
What is contradictory premises fallacy?
Contradictory premises involve an argument (generally considered a logical fallacy) that draws a conclusion from inconsistent or incompatible premises. Essentially, a proposition is contradictory when it asserts and denies the same thing.
What are the two types of premises an argument can have?
A premise may be either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism—an argument in which two premises are made and a logical conclusion is drawn from them—in a deductive argument. Merriam-Webster gives this example of a major and minor premise (and conclusion):
What is an example of begging the question fallacy?
Begging the question is a fallacy in which a claim is made and accepted to be true, but one must accept the premise to be true for the claim to be true. Examples of Begging the Question: 1. Everyone wants the new iPhone because it is the hottest new gadget on the market!
What is an example of equivocation?
The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the argument. Examples: I have the right to watch “The Real World.” Therefore it’s right for me to watch the show.
What are some examples of equivocation in Macbeth?
Sometimes, equivocations in Macbeth are meant kindly, as when Ross tries to spare Macduff’s feelings by telling him that his wife and son are “well.” Macduff initially takes this to mean that his family is alive and healthy, but Ross means that they are dead and in heaven.