A Strawman Argument is an argument based on a characterization of the opposing side's premises that the opposing side would not accept.
Example: Opponents of gay marriage claim gay marriage is wrong because gays are evil. STRAWMAN - they don't really believe that.
A Strawman Argument is NOT:
-A reductio ad absurdum of one of the opposing side's premises. EXAMPLE: If gay marriage should be made legal because of X, polygamy should be made legal because of X. NOT STRAWMAN
-Making an analogy between the opposing side's view and a view the opposing side would not accept EXAMPLE: Wanting to legalize gay marriage is like wanting to legalize polygamy. NOT STRAWMAN
-Using logic to infer things that the opposing side might not agree with from things they would agree with. EXAMPLE: If you want to legalize marriage because it is unfair for gay individuals to not be able to marry who they want, then it follows that people have some right to marry whoever they want. NOT STRAWMAN
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Thank you, Xaposert. Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
*cheers* AJ
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
The use of a man-shaped form in corn fields to make crows think there are people around and therefore not eat the crop -- STRAWMAN
The use of dummies in uniforms placed in windows along your castle to make the enemy think your numbers are much larger than they are -- STRAWMAN
Making a dummy and using a pumpkin for its head to delight the children at Halloween (this dummy is sometimes really a person who cleverly lies waiting for unsuspecting people to turn their delight into fear, which at Halloween is probably also delight) -- STRAWMAN
Just trying to make sure we're all clear.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
The guy who sells McDonalds those small plastic tubes to insert in drinks: STRAWMAN
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
The elevator operator who invented the Buzz-Sucker in "The Hudsucker Proxy": STRAWMAN
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
On Haloween, lying slumped on the porch wearing gloves with straw sticking out of your sleeves and your hat pulled town to hider your face, waiting for trick-or-treaters to come and scare them -- FALSE STRAWMAN.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Singing and Dancing down the Yellowbrick Road because you don't have a heart--Not a Strawman.
Singing and Dancing down the Yellowbrick Road because you don't have courage--Not a Strawman.
Singing and Dancing down the Yellowbrick Road because you don't have a brain--That is a Strawman
Singing and Dancing down I-70 during rush hour traffic because you don't have a brain--Not a Strawman.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
quote:On Haloween, lying slumped on the porch wearing gloves with straw sticking out of your sleeves and your hat pulled town to hider your face, waiting for trick-or-treaters to come and scare them -- FALSE STRAWMAN.
I have to do that!
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Y'all make me laugh.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I've developed a whole new type of argument. It's an argument based on a position that your opponent might espouse if he were really nervous about whether you might beat him to death.
It's called a "coffee-stirrerman argument"
Sort of a smaller version of the STRAWMAN
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I don't get it, Bob. Is there more to explain?
Oh, duh. I was thinking the explanation had more to do with the funny.
[ March 09, 2004, 03:25 PM: Message edited by: pooka ]
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
The man who, upon sitting on a camel, broke its back. STRAWMAN
If Mr. Straw has no sons he's THE FINAL STRAWMAN
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Then there is the argument where you tell your opponent to relax. It's called the "Hey, man" argument.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Have you ever tried sucking anything through those little coffee-stirrer straws?
And don't forget STRAWMAN's wife, the beautiful MRS. STRAWMAN.
[ March 09, 2004, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: advice for robots ]
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
I found out a few days ago in a communications class I have to take, the term "strawman" is actually sexist, the real term is "strawperson". <--*That rolling eyes should be about 20 times larger*
Hobbes Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
PERSON OF STRAW would be the most correct, Hobbes.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :
No, my communications teacher, who is apparently infintly knolwedgable about all things PC informed me (yes I asked ) that "strawperson" was the correct word.
Hobbes Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Because persons of either sex can be filled with straw and have no brain.
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Hay! Who'd a thought that the Strawman Argument was fodder for such humor.
oops Person-of-Abundant-Flora Argument.
Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :
Xaposert, I dislike you saying that all people who use the term 'strawman' are idiots, and that their mothers have genital warts, and they feed their children to rabid polar bears.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Slash Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Slash, that's not true. Its difficult to find Polar Bears with Rabies this time of year.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Wall Bash]](graemlins/wallbash.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
<--*That rolling eyes should be about 20 times larger*![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
) that "strawperson" was the correct word. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
Slash