Fu Qi Zhang Cen Conv 7

The strawman fallacy is a logical fallacy that involves attacking a false version or representation of someone’s argument or position in order to make yours look better. This weakens arguments because the false version of the opposition’s argument is much easier to attack and discredit than their actual argument. For example, let’s say two people are debating the costs of rent in the city. Person 1 argues that the rent is too expensive and should be lowered. Person 2, who disagrees, might fall into the strawman fallacy by responding that lowering rent would put landlords out of business and cost people their homes. Person 1’s argument did not suggest that rent should be lowered to the point of landlords going out of business or people losing their homes and misrepresenting the argument by presenting an extremity puts Person 1 at a disadvantage. The strawman fallacy is an unsound way of refuting an argument since it involves attacking a false version of an argument, not an actual position. Attacks against the false argument still discredit the person making the original argument, which undermines the purpose of having a debate. By responding accurately to an argument and solely that, a more reliable and productive debate can occur.