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LeninsBeard Commissar Since: Mar, 2010
Commissar
Jun 15th 2016 at 4:06:38 PM •••

This trope page is confused.

It's describing a special case of fallacies of equivocation, which involve changing definitions.

The page quote is not a fallacy of equivocation. It's actually a perfect example of the formal fallacy of affirming the consequent. You can't reverse implications or treat them like biconditions. A implying B does not mean B implies A, hence why the syllogisms from Colbert lead to the comical conclusion that Stevie Wonder is God.

RTanker Since: Oct, 2010
Nov 14th 2011 at 2:21:54 PM •••

Cut this:

  • In Much Ado About Nothing, this exchange between Benedick and Beatrice:
    Beatrice: And yet, ere I go, let me go with that I came; which is, with knowing what hath passed between you and Claudio.
    Benedick: Only foul words; and thereupon I will kiss thee.
    Beatrice: Foul words is but foul wind, and foul wind is but foul breath, and foul breath is noisome; therefore I will depart unkissed.
Because Beatrice isn't really engaged in a logical fallacy; she's just punning to make a point. She wanted Benedick to challenge Claudio to a duel to defend Hero's honor, and he has just told her that they quarreled, but it didn't go that far.

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Jordan Since: Jan, 2001
Nov 14th 2011 at 3:42:03 PM •••

I think it would count. I mean in the Touchstone example, it's not like he was making a logical fallacy either- granted, he was tricking someone, but in both instances, the character is using the fallacy for rhetorical effect, but it's still a use of the fallacy.

Hodor
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