What does paralogism mean?
Paralogism is the formal name for the argumentative practice commonly called the straw-man fallacy. It occurs when someone represents an opponent's position in a weakened, exaggerated, or otherwise inaccurate form, then attacks that substitute argument rather than the original position. The technique can be misleading even when the conclusion being defended happens to be true, because the reasoning has not addressed the actual case. Paralogisms are especially important in philosophical debate, political discussion, and criticism of rhetoric, where the distinction between careful refutation and misrepresentation is central. In less formal settings, people commonly say 'straw man' or 'straw-man argument.' The word is useful because it identifies a recognizable logical error rather than merely describing the result as unfair or dishonest.
nounA logical fallacy in which an opponent's position is represented in a weakened or distorted form and then refuted. It is commonly known as the straw-man fallacy.
- A form of argument that represents an opponent's position unfairly or inaccurately, usually as a weaker or more extreme version, before attacking it.
"The politician's criticism of the proposal was widely regarded as a paralogism because it misrepresented what the proposal actually required."
"The essay attacks a fictional version of the policy rather than the policy actually proposed, making it a clear paralogism."
"Her reply to the criticism is not a paralogism, because it addresses the strongest and most accurate interpretation of the original argument."
The plural is formed by adding -s; this term is normally used in formal or analytical contexts.
"The discussion identified several paralogisms in the candidate's response."
A paralogism wins an argument by distorting the opponent's case first: build a weaker version, then knock it down.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does paralogism come from?
Paralogism comes through Latin from Greek paralogismos, a term associated with false reasoning or reasoning that leads to a wrong conclusion. Its elements are related to Greek para-, meaning beside or contrary, and -logia, associated with speech, argument, or reasoning. The word entered English during the early modern period as a term for a form of false reasoning, before becoming especially associated with the argumentative fallacy now called the straw-man fallacy.
Related word forms
How paralogism is actually used
The term is chiefly formal and philosophical. In everyday discussion, 'straw-man argument' is the usual expression. A paralogism is a flaw in an argument, not necessarily a false conclusion, and is distinct from deliberately lying or using a false fact.
Easily confused with paralogism
A paradox is a statement or situation that appears self-contradictory or surprising, whereas a paralogism is a faulty argumentative technique used against an opponent.
An epilogue is a concluding section of a literary or dramatic work, while a paralogism is a logical fallacy.