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'''False dilemma''' is a [[logic]]al fallacy in which a set of options are presented as if they are mutually exclusive or as if they're the only possible options, when in fact they are not. <ref>http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/adhom/dilemma.html</ref> It is used to give the impression that if one rejects another's argument, he must necessarily embrace an absurd or unappealing stance.

A '''false dichotomy''' is a special case of a false dilemma, in which only two options are presented.  One side of an argument presents to the other two unpleasant, opposite, and extreme alternatives, alleging that they are the only choices open in the matter up for debate. The fallacy lies in disregarding the middle ground, or failing to credit the range of disagreement on the issue.

A false dichotomy is a special case of a false dilemma, in which only two options are presented.  

Of course, not all dilemmas are false dilemmas.

 

Example of a false dichotomies include the arguments "if you oppose [[Barack Obama]]/[[Hillary Clinton]], you're a racist/sexist!" They are  false dichotomies because they ignore many possible reasons for opposing Obama/clinton.  

*"Either you're pro-life or a supporter of the [[death penalty]]." - This is not a contradiction, since Christians can trace both positions to Scripture (Exodus 20:13<ref>Exodus 20:13, "Thou shalt not kill."</ref> and 21:23<ref>Exodus 21:23, "And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life..."</ref>, respectively). The distinction is obviously one between killing an innocent and inflicting justice upon a criminal, yet liberals use this either to accuse the [[Bible]] (and consequently, God himself) of inconsistency or to support their position against capital punishment.

*"If history as depicted in the Bible cannot be supported by empirical evidence, it must be false." - Another obvious fallacy, since a) nobody can rule out future discoveries that would corroborate the Bible; b) all "evidence" humans can possibly obtain would be a bad measure to check divine revelation; and c) misunderstanding and misinterpretation on the part of humans would doom any such effort.

*"If you oppose [[Barack Obama]]/[[Hillary Clinton]], you're a racist/sexist!" They are  false dichotomies because they ignore many possible reasons for opposing Obama/clinton.  

== References ==

==References==

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[[Category:philosophy]]

[[Category:philosophy]]

[[Category:Logical Fallacies]]

[[Category:Logical Fallacies]]

[[Category:Liberal Traits]]

[[Category:Liberal Traits]]