Dictionary

pseudoargument en · NOUN

Pronunciation

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Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ψεύδω (pseúdō) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ēs Proto-Hellenic *-ēs Ancient Greek -ης (-ēs) Ancient Greek -ής (-ḗs) Ancient Greek ψευδής (pseudḗs)der. Middle English pseudo- English pseudo- Latin argūmentumder. Anglo-Norman arguementbor. Middle English argument English argument English pseudoargument From pseudo- + argument.

Meanings

1. fallacious argument, incorrect argument
   • Their main pseudoargument held that Genesis literalism is not religion at all, but really an alternative form of science not acknowledged by professional biologists too hidebound and dogmatic to appreciate the cutting edge of their own discipline. 1991, Stephen Jay Gould, Bully for Brontosaurus: Reflections in Natural History
   • Begging the question — a pseudoargument that offers as proof the claim that the argument itself exists to prove; also known as circular reasoning. 1990, Stuart Hirchberg, Strategies of Argument
   • And of course, if I did accept the premise, then I would not need to draw a conclusion by way of a pseudoargument. “How could anyone fall for such a simplistic argument?” you may ask. Let us not be too hasty in our condemnation. 2010, Chris Meyers, The Fetal Position: A Rational Approach to the Abortion Issue

Forms

Hypernyms

argument

Synonyms

non-argument · incorrect argument · misargument · pseudoargument