Time for another #FallacyFriday! Every week, Oliver Diaz Neda will post a logical fallacy and an example to help you all become better debaters, persuaders and rational thinkers. What is a logical fallacy? It is defined as – a flaw in the structure of an argument which renders the argument invalid.
Everyone has that highly opinionated relative who loves to argue over politics, so this post should help you shut down their absurd positions – with logic!
Today’s fallacy
Red Herring
Red Herrings, also known as misdirection or changing the subject, are fallacious argument tactics which attempt to change the topic of discussion away from the issue at hand. The person using this fallacious argument strategy, typically does so in order to avoid giving a weak rebuttal.
Example:
Joe
Why do you praise Putin’s leadership when he kills journalist, imprisons opposition and censors the media? Do you think it is OK to kill journalist who disagree with you?
Trump
He’s running his country, and at least he’s a leader, not like what we have in this country. I think our country does plenty of killing, also, Joe. There’s a lot of stupidity going on in the world right now, Joe. A lot of killing going on.
Joe
What?
Trump
We need a leader right now, Joe, a strong leader. Our country is a mess.
Trump can’t give a clear and direct answer without sounding like he is praising authoritarian, unconstitutional oppression – so he tries to redirect the topic to something more vague. Don’t be a Trump.
