Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Difference between false dichotomy and false binary

jessica0512.kimjessica0512.kim Core Member

Can someone explain to me the difference between those two flaw types?

Comments

  • LivinLaVidaLSATLivinLaVidaLSAT Alum Member
    710 karma

    Did you see something somewhere that makes some sort of distinction between the two? As far as I know, they're the same thing. You can use either term. With a false dichotomy, aka false binary, only 2 options are presented and all other possible options are ignored.

  • LauranphLauranph Core Member
    12 karma

    I've never seen a question that makes you distinguish them but for what it's worth:

    False binary: something is a spectrum, but the argument is acting like it's not (extreme example: Spiderman is not my favorite movie, therefore it is my least favorite movie)

    False dichotomy: more than one of two things could be true, but the argument assumes they are mutually exclusive (example: I like vanilla ice cream, therefore I don't like chocolate ice cream)

Sign In or Register to comment.