Lecture Notes by Christopher Lay

Los Angeles Pierce College

Department of History, Philosophy, and Sociology

Mathew Van Cleave's 2016 Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking

https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=457

Chapter 4 "Informal fallacies", § 1 "Formal vs. Informal Fallacies," Sub-§ 5 "Equivocation"

"[I]n the fallacy of equivocation [a] the word ... is used equivocally—that is, in two different senses." 

One word can be used in two different senses (for example, a figurative sense and a literal sense) in one and the same argument. 

"[T]he definition of the fallacy of equivocation refers to [the way in which] the same word is being used in two different senses (i.e., with two different meanings)." 

Example

"Taking a logic class helps you learn how to argue." 

"But there is already too much hostility in the world today, and the fewer arguments the better." 

"Therefore, you shouldn’t take a logic class.

"In this example, the word 'argue' and 'argument' are used equivocally."   

Not the Form, but the Content

"[E]quivocation can only be identified by understanding the meanings of the words involved."   

"So, unlike formal fallacies, identifying the fallacy of equivocation requires that we draw on our understanding of the meaning of words and of our understanding of the world, generally."   

Examples

Is this a fallacy?    

1) Fruit truck overturns on the 5 Freeway causing jam. 

Examples

Is this a fallacy? 

2) Michael Jackson said I was bad, and I understand that being musically bad is no good, so I should give up on my musical ambitions. 

Examples

Is this a fallacy?   

That leader just appealed to the KKK.  I think we have a morally bad leader. 

Examples

Is this a fallacy? 

The California legislature is either high or broke: they just sent a marijuana bill to a joint committee! 

Examples

Is this a fallacy? 

Bob knows what is going on with the races now, he just woke up.  So, we can trust that Bob is not a supporter of tacitly state-sponsored institutionalized racism. 

Examples

Is this a fallacy?   

You should get engaged to that person because that person is not afraid of commitment.  Why, that person was committed just last week!