Category: Linguistics

A Suggestive Question is one that implies that a certain answer should be given in response, or falsely presents a presupposition in the question as accepted fact. Such a question distorts the memory thereby tricking the person into answering in a specific way that might or might not be true or consistent with their actual […]

A complex question fallacy or loaded question is a question which contains a controversial or unjustified assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt). Aside from being an informal fallacy depending on usage, such questions may be used as a rhetorical tool: the question attempts to limit direct replies to be those that serve the questioner’s agenda. The traditional example is the question “Have you stopped beating […]

A loaded question or complex question fallacy is a question which contains a controversial or unjustified assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt). Aside from being an informal fallacy depending on usage, such questions may be used as a rhetorical tool: the question attempts to limit direct replies to be those that serve the questioner’s agenda. The […]

Assumption is the act of assuming, or taking to or upon one’s self; the act of taking up or adopting. His assumption of secretarial duties was timely. The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; a supposition; an unwarrantable claim. Their assumption of his guilt disqualified them from jury duty.

A performative contradiction arises when the propositional content of a statement contradicts the presuppositions of asserting it. An example of a performative contradiction is the statement “I am dead” because the very act of proposing it presupposes the actor is alive. Performative contradictions The statement “Don’t do as I do, do as I say” is arguably […]

“The exception [that] proves the rule” means that the presence of an exception applying to a specific case establishes (“proves”) that a general rule exists. For example, a sign that says “parking prohibited on Sundays” (the exception) “proves” that parking is allowed on the other six days of the week (the rule). A more explicit […]

In the law of evidence, a presumption of a particular fact can be made without the aid of proof in some situations. The types of presumption includes a rebuttable discretionary presumption, a rebuttable mandatory presumption, and an irrebuttable or conclusive presumption. Presumptions are sometimes categorized into two types: presumptions without basic facts, and presumptions with […]

Presuppose a seeking for what is sought.

David’s children are very noisy. Possessive Case: David has children.

If the notice had only said ‘quicksand’ in French as well as in English, we would never have lost poor Lewis. Counterfactual Conditional: The notice didn’t say ‘quicksand’ in French.