The Gish gallop
It is a rhetorical technique that involves overwhelming your opponent with numerous vague arguments, with no regard for accuracy, validity, or relevance of those arguments.
The Gish gallop is a misleading rhetorical technique, rather than a logical fallacy because it doesn't represent a pattern of flawed reasoning.
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The Gish gallop and logical fallacies
Arguments in a Gish gallop often contain various logical fallacies, such as the strawman fallacy which attacks a fabricated argument, or appeals to nature, which claims something is good because it is perceived as natural.
Arguments within a Gish gallop
When responding to specific arguments within a Gish gallop, you can use certain techniques to respond effectively to the flawed arguments.
- When someone states there is support for their stance, you can ask your opponent to list the specific evidence they claim support their view.
Calling out the use of the Gish gallop
Regardless of which technique you use, you can generally point out that your opponent is using the Gish gallop, especially if you need to explain why you cannot provide a full, point-by-point rebuttal.
Explain how your opponent is using this technique and why it is problem...
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