Conspiracy Myths (7) - Ambiguity

 

Use of words with more than one meaning (Ambiguity, Equivocation)

A piece of cake is better than nothing. Nothing is better than eternal bliss. Therefore, a piece of cake is better than eternal bliss.

I believe in God. I believe in science. (Believe has different meanings)

We are all familiar with using the same sentence with different intonations (inflexions): You are a genius (voice up) vs. You are a genius (voice down) – or – The political party is always right (voice up) vs. The political party is always right (voice down).


 

Wrong or misleading correlations

Vaccinations are responsible for autism. (Well, all scientific studies deny this; wrong correlation)

Using face masks stopped the virus spread. (Sounds as wearing a face mask was the only reason why the spread of the virus was stopped; other preventive measures are not mentioned; this argument is a simplification (reduction) to just one cause, instead of many, like distancing, disinfection, airing a room).

Animals as well as plants are living beings. Animals have feelings, therefore, also plants must have feelings. (Wrong or weak argument).

If you murder someone, you are a murderer, and if you lie, you are a liar and as bad as a murderer. (Wrong analogy, since lying could save lives)

World War I revolutionized social life and technological progress in the US. The American War of Independence revolutionized social life in America. Americans did not fight in WWI to initiate revolutionary social changes in the US. Therefore, the Americans did not get involved in the American War of Independence in order to revolutionize social life. (Wrong comparison of the two wars; both happened due to most different circumstances. Also, complex sentences that are very difficult to understand).

Boris Johnson was responsible for the Brexit (simplification of arguments)

Statement: Marriage is an institution made by religion and society. Response: No, marriage is not an institution made by religion and society because pair binding happened much earlier in history. (Non sequitur: conclusion does not depend on the premises, since pair-binding is different to what is meant by marriage)


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