Loaded question
A loaded question is a form of complex question that contains a controversial assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt).[1]
Such questions may be used as a
Defense
A common way out of this argument is not to answer the question (e.g. with a simple 'yes' or 'no'), but to challenge the assumption behind the question. To use an earlier example, a good response to the question "Have you stopped beating your wife?" would be "I have never beaten my wife".
Historical examples
[O]nce when Alexinus asked him whether he had left off beating his father, he said, "I have not beaten him, and I have not left off;" and when he said further that he ought to put an end to the doubt by answering explicitly yes or no, "It would be absurd," he rejoined, "to comply with your conditions, when I can stop you at the entrance."[7]
For another example, the
See also
References
- ISBN 9780072879599.
- ^ ISBN 0-521-37925-3, pp. 36–37
- ^ "Fallacy: Begging the Question". The Nizkor Project. Archived from the original on March 10, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2008.
- ISBN 0-471-27242-6.
- ^ Layman, C. Stephen (2003). The Power of Logic. p. 158.
- S2CID 141720470. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2018-12-21. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- OCLC 3123020.
- ^ "Anti-smacking debate goes to referendum". 3 News. June 15, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-03.[permanent dead link]
External links
- Fallacy: Loaded Questions and Complex Claims Critical Thinking exercises. San Jose State University.
- Logical Fallacy: Loaded Question The Fallacy Files
- What Is The Loaded Question Fallacy? Definition and Examples Fallacy in Logic