The argument from dictionary
The argument from a dictionary is a logical fallacy and happens when someone's argument is based, in a problematic way, on the definition of a particular term as it appears in a dictionary. The problem with these arguments:
- Dictionaries are descriptive, meaning that they attempt to describe how people use the language. It is not prescriptive in that it instructs them how to do so in a definitive manner.
- Dictionaries don't always reflect the meaning of words as they're used by people.
- Different dictionaries can list different definitions for a given term, and may even have several definitions for the same word.
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Responding to an appeal to definition
When responding to appeals to definition, it is useful to know the terms denotation, which is the literal meaning of a word, and connotation, which is a feeling the word evokes beyond its denotation.
- Explain why the use of the definition is inappropr...
An example of the appeal to definition
"We should ignore the theory of evolution because the dictionary says that a theory is just an opinion that you have about something you can't prove."
The person using this fallacy is basing their statement on a specific definition of the word "theory" while
Types of definitions
- Reportive definitions aim to accurately capture the meaning of a term as it's ordinarily used.
- Precising definitions add relevant criteria to a reportive definition to make it more precise for a specific purpose.
- Stipulative defini...
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