Argumentum ad lapidem

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Ad Lapidem (Latin: "throwing stones" or "by stonethrowing") is a logical fallacy that consists in dismissing a statement as absurd without giving proof of its absurdity.1 The form of argument employed by such dismissals is the argumentum ad lapidem.

Ad lapidem statements are fallacious because they fail to address the merits of the claim in dispute. Ad hominem arguments, which dispute the merits of a claim's advocate rather than the merits of the claim itself, are fallacious for the same reason. The same applies to proof by assertion, where an unproved or disproved claim is asserted as true on no ground other than that of its truth having been asserted.

Example

Albert claims that Bob has embezzled from his employer.

Carl replies, "That can't be true. Bob is not an embezzler, not now or ever. He simply wouldn't do such a thing. It's nonsense, a ridiculous claim on its face."

Because it denies Albert's claim, but gives no reasoning or evidence proving it untrue, Carl's reply is an argumentum ad lapidem in form. In making it, Carl has commits the ad lapidem fallacy, and we would be reasonable to discount it.

References

  1. ^ "Definitions of Fallacies", Dianah Mertz Hsieh, 20 August 1995

See also

v • d • e
Fallacies of relevance
General
Appeals to emotion
Fear • Flattery • Nature • Novelty • Pity • Ridicule • Repugnance • Spite
Genetic fallacies
Appeals to consequences
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