Difference between revisions of "False Dilemma"
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Revision as of 16:43, January 17, 2011
False dilemma is a logical 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. [1] 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.
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.
Of course, not all dilemmas are false dilemmas.