No true Scotsman:
Conceptual/Linguistic Fallacy
| Definition | Example |
| When a justified categorization is rejected based on unconventional or arbitrary criteria. | How can you call yourself a patriot when you are against this war? No true patriot would disagree that this is a just war. |
| Notes | |
| Those who employ this fallacy will often interject ad hoc or arbitrary criteria to maintain an artificial delineation. | |
Case Study One
If a theist informs an atheist that his position is indefensible since Stalin was an atheist, it would be a no true Scotsman fallacy for the atheist to suggest that Stalin was not a real atheist. And it would be forfeiting the chance to point out the theist’s own fallacy of top-down condemnation.
Case Study Two
If an atheist informs a Christian that his position is indefensible since Hitler was a Christian, it would be a no true Scotsman fallacy for the theist to suggest that Hitler was not a real Christian. And it would be forfeiting the chance to point out the atheist’s own fallacy of top-down condemnation.
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.
Advertisements
