Techniques
The following are some of the most commonly employed techniques:
- Reductio-Ad-Abstrum - A technique for simplifying an argument to the point of absurdity, making it easier to disprove.
- Ad-Ad-Hominem - A fallacious appeal to emotion, often using ridicule or irony.
- Slippery-Slope - A technique that exaggerates a minor issue to the point of absurdity, implying that a small problem will inevitably lead to a catastrophic outcome.
- False Dilemma - A technique where a false dilemma is presented as a choice between two options, both of which are undesirable.
- Straw-Man - A technique where a weak or unrepresentative argument is presented as a representative argument, often to make it easier to knock down.
- False Flag - A technique where a false or misleading premise is presented as a true statement.
These techniques are commonly employed by those who wish to obfuscate the truth, but can also be used by the wise to uncover hidden patterns and assumptions.
// Example of Reductio Ad Absurdam
if (argument &< 10) {
console.log("This argument is clearly absurd!");
}
else {
console.log("Let's just ignore this then");
}