The false dilemma , also called exclusion of the third , distorts Dichotomie or incomplete enumeration , is a fallacious reasoning, which consists in reporting two to a given problem as if they were two the only possible ones, whereas actually there is the different one.

Example

Either the Créationnisme is true, or the Darwinism is true. As the Darwinism is not true, then inevitably, the creationnism is true.

This argument is fallacious because the premise does not recognize that there can be other points of view that the creationnism and the Darwinism. If it is proven that there are not other possibilities, then the reasoning becomes valid. If not, it is possible to counter the argument by presenting a third choice:

And that is it of Lamarck?

Use

The false dilemma is also common in policy. It is often hidden in the questions, and then becomes a Plurium interrogationum :

Summers you with us or the terrorists? will you vote for me, or you will let unemployment increase indefinitely?

The parents who wish to motivate their child can make a use of the false choice:

Either you go to the Université, or you will sell Hamburger S all your life!

Relationship to other fallacious reasoning

The false dilemma comes from a misuse of the logical Operator Or . The Faux choice is another misuse of this same operator consisting in presenting two proposals like mutually exclusive. There exists for the operator and the fallacious reasoning of the abusive Regroupement.

It is possible that a false choice allows more than two possibilities (for example three).

The false dilemma is a kind of Rupture of correlation.

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