Proof by assertion

Proof by assertion

Proof by assertion is a logical fallacy in which a proposition is repeatedly restated regardless of contradiction. Sometimes this may be repeated until challenges dry up, at which point it is asserted as fact due to its not being contradicted (argumentum ad nauseam). In other cases its repetition may be cited as evidence of its truth, in a variant of the appeal to authority or appeal to belief fallacies. [ [http://dspace.de.shellph2.info/en/Proof+by+assertion Proof by assertion ] ]

This logical fallacy is sometimes used as a form of rhetoric by politicians, or during a debate as a filibuster. In its extreme form, it can also be a form of brainwashing. Modern politics contains many examples of proof by assertions. This practice can be observed in the use of political slogans, and the distribution of "talking points," which are collections of short phrases that are issued to members of modern political parties for recitation to achieve maximum message repetition. The technique is also sometimes used in advertising.Fact|date=July 2008

The technique is described in a saying, often attributed to Lenin, as "A lie told often enough becomes the truth", [ cite web|url=http://thinkexist.com/quotation/a_lie_told_often_enough_becomes/195640.html |title=Vladimir Lenin quotes|accessdate=2008-01-13 |work=ThinkExist.com ] although the user may not be intentionally promoting a lie and may just believe an illogical or faulty proposition.

ee also

* Big Lie
* Talking points
* Brainwashing
* Weasel word
* Denialism

References

External links

* [http://www.mnforsustain.org/student_logical_fallacies_with_references.htm Stephen's Guide to the Logical Fallacies] (Logical fallacies with references.)


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Proof of impossibility — A proof of impossibility, sometimes called a negative proof or negative result , is a proof demonstrating that a particular problem cannot be solved, or cannot be solved in general. Often proofs of impossibility have put to rest decades or… …   Wikipedia

  • proof — /proohf/, n. 1. evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth. 2. anything serving as such evidence: What proof do you have? 3. the act of testing or making trial of anything; test; trial: to put a thing to… …   Universalium

  • proof — n., adj., & v. n. 1 facts, evidence, argument, etc. establishing or helping to establish a fact (proof of their honesty; no proof that he was there). 2 Law the spoken or written evidence in a trial. 3 a demonstration or act of proving (not… …   Useful english dictionary

  • proof — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. evidence, substantiation, verification, confirmation; conclusiveness; corroboration, ratification; trial, test; sample, impression. See demonstration, experiment. adj. impenetrable, impervious;… …   English dictionary for students

  • assertion — Synonyms and related words: Parthian shot, a priori principle, address, admission, affidavit, affirmance, affirmation, allegation, announcement, annunciation, answer, apostrophe, apriorism, asseveration, assumed position, assumption, attest,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • Turing's proof — First published in January 1937 with the title On Computable Numbers, With an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem , Turing s proof was the second proof of the assertion (Alonzo Church proof was first) that some questions are undecidable :… …   Wikipedia

  • burden of proof — noun the duty of proving a disputed charge • Hypernyms: ↑duty, ↑responsibility, ↑obligation * * * Etymology: translation of Latin onus probandi : the duty of proving a disputed presumption, assertion, or charge …   Useful english dictionary

  • Offer of proof — Evidence Part of the …   Wikipedia

  • burden of proof — ► burden of proof the obligation to prove an assertion. Main Entry: ↑burden …   English terms dictionary

  • burden of proof — Date: 1780 the duty of proving a disputed assertion or charge …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”