Straw Man Fallacy
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
A straw man fallacy distorts someone's position to make it easier to attack.
A straw man fallacy distorts someone's position to make it easier to attack.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- I want fewer meetings. So you want no collaboration at all?
- She suggested limits, so she wants to ban everything.
- He wants reform, so he hates the country.
How to respond
- Restate your actual position clearly.
- Ask them to repeat your argument in their own words.
- Point out the mismatch between the claim and the response.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Why is straw man common?
It makes arguments easier to win by attacking a weaker version.
How do I respond?
Clarify what you actually said and return to the original claim.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)