Distinction without a difference
{{Short description|Type of logical fallacy}}
{{about||the album by Billy Bang|Distinction Without a Difference (album)}}
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A distinction without a difference is a type of logical fallacy where an author or speaker attempts to describe a distinction between two things where no discernible difference exists.{{cite book |title=Philosophical Writing: An Introduction |author=Martinich, A. P. |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |date=1996 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0pJ2Do2Rg8MC |page=99|isbn=9781405143929 }} It is particularly used when a word or phrase has connotations associated with it that one party to an argument prefers to avoid.
For example, a person might say "I did not lie; I merely stretched the truth a little bit."{{Cite book
|title=The Little Blue Reasoning Book: 50 Powerful Principles for Clear and Effective Thinking
|first=Brandon
|last=Royal
|isbn=978-1897393604
|publisher=Maven Publishing
|year=2013
|page=178
}}
Form of the fallacy
- Claim X is made where the truth of the claim requires a distinct difference between A and B.
- There is no distinct difference between A and B.
- Therefore, claim X is incorrectly claimed to be true.
Example
In the following conversation:
- Sergio: There is no way I would ever even consider taking dancing lessons.
- Kitty: How about I ask my friend from work to teach you?
- Sergio: If you know someone who is willing to teach me how to dance, then I am willing to learn, sure.{{cite web |last=Bennett|first=Bo|title=Distinction Without a Difference |url=https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Distinction-Without-a-Difference |website=logicallyfallacious.com}}
Sergio's fallacy is thinking that being taught by someone is different than taking a lesson.
See also
References
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