1846 en literatura

The technique Rhétorique of the man of straw is the practice consisting in presenting the position of its adversary in a voluntarily erroneous way. To create an argument of the man of straw consists in creating an easily refutable position then to allot it to its opponent.

The name of this easy way is an image drawn from a technique of drive to the combat: the user of the argument builds a mannequin of straw to the image of his contradictor, and fights not against this contradictor, but against his representation. It is then easy to gain the victory.

Techniques allowing the use of the argument

It is possible to create an argument of the man of straw in various manners:
  1. To take part of the arguments of its contradictor, to refute this part and to claim that one refuted the whole of the arguments.
  2. To present the arguments of its opponent in a weak form, to refute them and claim that the original arguments were refuted. To take the original arguments and to separate them from the context inside they were exposed are a way among others of achieving this goal.
  3. To present a false claim of its opponent, to refute it and claim that the initial declaration is the true position of its opponent.
  4. To introduce somebody who defends a position awkwardly, to refute these arguments and to claim that all the arguments in favor of this position are refuted.
  5. To invent a character of fiction with actions or beliefs which one can easily criticize and claim that this person is representative of the group which the speaker is criticizing.

One can define an argument of the man of straw like a Argument of false claim. The man of straw is a technique used very frequently in the political debates or in a more general way in the media.

Example

Example 1

You do not want to develop this schedule construction of Porte-avions, I do not include/understand why you want to leave our country without defense.

The proposal I am against the construction of an aircraft carrier was diverted in I am against the defense of my country , argument much easier to put at fault.

Example 2

  • the mother: You should clean your room!
  • the child: I already did it last month, I nevertheless will not do it the every day!

The proposal arranges your room was changed into arranges your room the every day.

Appendices

External bond

  • http://www.fallacyfiles.org/strawman.html

Sources

Random links:Marcel Granet | Museum of Louxor | Thierry Robin | Lutz Dombrowski | Campo (Blenio) | 1846_en_littérature