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Fallacy Of Abusive Argument Essay

Decent Essays

In paragraph two the author has violated the relevancy criteria of a good argument by committing the fallacy of abusive ad hominem. In the second paragraph the author states “Those who say these embryos “would be discarded anyway” are wrong.” Fallacy of abusive ad hominem is defined as attacking the character of the opposing speaker rather than his thesis. In this statement the author is trying to reason by attacking the characteristic of his opposing speakers by stating that their thinking is wrong, therefore lowering the credibility of the opposing speakers and trying to persuade the reader that his argument is right, which is irrelevant to the argument. Therefor this argument is not acceptable because it does not provide enough support for the conclusion.

7.3 – Neutralization of the fallacy: …show more content…

Embryos that couples want discarded are barred from being used in research. In fact, many couples who initially chose to discard their “excess” embryos have later changed their minds and let them survive”, which the author has committed the fallacy of abusive ad hominem. The author could have avoided the fallacy of abusive ad hominem by stating that not all these embryos would eventually be discarded, which points that the notion of opposing thinking is wrong without committing the fallacy and attacking the opposing speakers. Therefore, the paragraph could be restated as, “Not all of these embryos would eventually be discarded. Embryos that couples want discarded are barred from being used in research. In fact, many couples who initially chose to discard their “excess” embryos have later changed their minds and let them survive.” Therefore, now the statement provides a support and evidence for the argument and is

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