Category Archives: Equivocation

True tolerance

Posted on 4/30/2013 by Scott Aikin

Chris Broussard at ESPN said that Jason Collins, the NBA player who’s come out as gay, isn’t a true Christian and is “in open rebellion to God.”  So what?  Well, he got some blowback from a variety of sources.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hominem circumstantial, Argument from Double Standards, Equivocation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Doctor, but not a real one

Posted on 4/27/2013 by Scott Aikin

A quick lesson on equivocation and how not to charge that it’s occurring.  Charles Cooke has a piece over at NRO about how Jill Biden, who has a Ed.D., has been tweeting under the handle ‘DrBiden’.  The tweets have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation | Tagged | 5 Comments

Reduce, reuse, recyle

Posted on 3/5/2013 by John Casey

Fig.1: Conservativism Here is a post for those who think that pointing out the inconsistency between a party’s name and its alleged position on an issue constitutes a decisive refutation of their view.  That “conservatives” fail to “conserve” or “preserve” … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Inconsistency, Equivocation, George Will | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Adventures in false dilemmas

Posted on 7/2/2012 by Scott Aikin

Here's the title of Howard Rich's post at American Spectator. Barack Obama: Socialist or Nouveau Fascist? Rich argues that Socialism isn't quite right about Obama's policies, as he does let many who have done well keep their spoils.  So it's … Continue reading →

Posted in Barack Obama, Complex Question, Equivocation, False Dichotomy | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Stop contradicting yourself

Posted on 12/30/2011 by John Casey

Check out the image: Yes, this is exactly what diversity means.  This reminds me of a classic George Will argument (with the same equivocation) against "Liberals." Although liberals give lip service to "diversity," they often treat federalism as an annoying … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation, George Will | Tagged , | 2 Comments

How equivocations work

Posted on 12/21/2011 by John Casey

Offhand I can think of two uses for deploying the subtle semantic strategy called "equivocation."  The first is to cover up the fact that you're lying about something; the second is to make it look like someone else is lying … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation, General discussion | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Richie Rich

Posted on 9/24/2011 by John Casey

In the interst of fairness (perhaps) to those who frankly have a lot of money and influence, the Washington Post provides us with a  mythbusting piece about millionaires.  The first myth, you might be shocked to hear, is the following: 1. Millionaires … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

You’re soaking in it!

Posted on 8/9/2011 by John Casey

It's been a long time since I've read Stanley Fish's column in the New York Times Online.  One reason is that I'm semi-boycotting the Times and their paywall; the other reason is that Fish is a terrible columnist.  Thankfully he's … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation, Stanley Fish | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Slip Slidin’ to 20 Billion

Posted on 6/24/2011 by Colin Anderson

Crooks and Liars link to a Senate committee discussion featuring Al Franken, Bernie Sanders, and Rand Paul on funding the Older Americans Act–a program that provides services to the elderly to allow them to remain in their homes and be … Continue reading →

Posted in Equivocation, General discussion, Slippery Slope | 1 Comment

Discrimination by any other name

Posted on 4/6/2011 by Scott Aikin

Roger Scruton is a serious philosopher.  That's why I was disappointed to read his American Spectator article defending an English couple's right to refuse to allow a gay couple to share a room at their hotel (see the Guardian report).  … Continue reading →

Posted in Appeal to the People, Equivocation, Slippery Slope, Weak Analogy | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments