Category Archives: Argument from Inconsistency

TU to-the-evah-lovin’ QUOQUE!

Posted on 5/2/2013 by Scott Aikin

We’ve had a number of discussions here at the NS about how ad hominem tu quoque can sometimes actually be a relevant form of argument. (See one of mine HERE, Colin on it HERE, John on it HERE, and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hominem tu quoque, Argument from Double Standards, Argument from Inconsistency, inconsistency, is quoque, weak man | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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

If the other guy were president

Posted on 1/10/2013 by Scott Aikin

We’ve had a few discussions of subjunctive tu quoque here at the NS. (See Colin’s original post HERE). Well, here’s another version of it. Sean Paige at the National Review Online is concerned about a recent suggestion from two law … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hominem tu quoque, Argument from Inconsistency | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Makers and takers

Posted on 8/12/2012 by Scott Aikin

Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney's Vice Presidential choice.  As a consequence, there's been a good bit of attention paid to Ryan's much-touted appreciation of Ayn Rand.  One edge is to criticize Randian economic policy.  Another edge is to ask whether … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hominem tu quoque, Argument Analysis, Argument from Double Standards, Argument from Inconsistency | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Not really hypocrisy of the day

Posted on 6/21/2012 by John Casey

Think Progress is accusing Ron Paul of hypocrisy for criticizing social security but taking it (they also suggest that he compared social security to slavery, which he did and didn't:  He did in the "immoral" sense, but not in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Double Standards, Argument from Inconsistency | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Odd inferences

Posted on 4/3/2012 by John Casey

I don't see the relation between "unarmed black teenager is shot under puzzling and racially charged circumstances" and "black people shoot each other all of the time," but apparently it's become quite a thing.  George Will has even jumped on … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Inconsistency, Specious allegations of fallacy | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sic semper stultis

Posted on 2/20/2012 by John Casey

The Virginia Senate and House of Delegates have both passed a law requiring women to undergo ultrasounds before getting an abortion.  Such procedures are unnecessary, critics argue, because they (1) serve no medical purpose; and (2) people getting an abortion already know … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Inconsistency | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The scheme meme

Posted on 1/25/2012 by John Casey

I get a kick out of image macros and the memes generated therefrom.  To me, some of theme are like instances of argument schemes for the generation of kids who don't want to read Boethius's De topicis differentiis.  Know your meme even … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Double Standards, Argument from Inconsistency | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The symbols of my religion are religiously neutral

Posted on 8/16/2011 by Scott Aikin

Joseph Ianfranco and Byron Babione's recent post at the American Spectator, "Atheists Attack 9/11 Cross," deserves some comment, as it instantiates a troubling bit of doublethink when it comes to defending state-sponsored religious symbolism.  On the one hand, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hominem circumstantial, Ad hominem tu quoque, Argument from Double Standards, Argument from Inconsistency | 2 Comments

My leadership trackrecord is irrelevant to my leadership

Posted on 8/13/2011 by Scott Aikin

Newt Gingrich replied to Chris Wallace (Fox's only real news reporter), when Wallace asked about Gingrich's staff resigning, alleging that he lacked seriousness or the will to win, (or really the political judgment relevant to governing) as follows: Well, let … Continue reading →

Posted in Argument from Inconsistency, Specious allegations of fallacy | Tagged , | Leave a comment