Question

Which informal fallacy refers to the ambiguity of a complete statement, not of a word or a phrase?

• A. Fallacy of Accent
• B. Fallacy of Accident
• C. Fallacy of Amphiboly
• D. Fallacy of Equivocation

Hint:

The Fallacy of Amphiboly arises from ambiguity in sentence structure rather than the meanings of individual words.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Fallacy of Amphiboly.
The Fallacy of Amphiboly occurs due to ambiguous grammar or structure in a statement, leading to multiple interpretations. The fallacy arises when a sentence has an ambiguous structure that can be interpreted in more than one way, making the entire argument misleading. Examples include: - “I saw the man with the telescope” (Who had the telescope? The man or the speaker?)
Step 2: Analyzing the Options.
- 1. Fallacy of Accent: Refers to ambiguity caused by the emphasis or stress placed on certain words in a sentence, not the structure. - 2. Fallacy of Accident: Involves applying a general rule to a specific case where the rule does not apply. - 3. Fallacy of Amphiboly: Correct answer. This refers to the ambiguity in the structure of a statement. - 4. Fallacy of Equivocation: Involves using a word with multiple meanings to mislead or confuse the argument.
Step 3: Conclusion. The correct answer is 3. Fallacy of Amphiboly.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{The correct answer is 3. Fallacy of Amphiboly.}} \]