I never understand why "slippery slope" arguments are listed as a logical fallacy. Certainly, extreme slippery slope arguments, which list absurd and extremely unlikely outcomes, would be fallacious. But some slippery slope arguments ARE valid. For example, I don't see any fallacy in pointing out that the same logic which permits same-sex "marriage" as a right would imply that polygamous marriage is also a right, and that therefore if you define one as marriage, you may eventually have to define the other as marriage.
@Paul: I agree. In fact a slippery slope argument is handily falsifiable. Look the slippery slope predicted in Humanae Vitae in terms of public morality, relations between the sexes especially husbands and wives and so on to see one that has been thoroughly verified!
This is AWESOME. Especially fun to see after just finishing reading "The Fallacy Detective" (book). Thanks, Marcel! Keep the good stuff comin'!
ReplyDeleteI never understand why "slippery slope" arguments are listed as a logical fallacy. Certainly, extreme slippery slope arguments, which list absurd and extremely unlikely outcomes, would be fallacious. But some slippery slope arguments ARE valid. For example, I don't see any fallacy in pointing out that the same logic which permits same-sex "marriage" as a right would imply that polygamous marriage is also a right, and that therefore if you define one as marriage, you may eventually have to define the other as marriage.
ReplyDelete@Paul: I agree. In fact a slippery slope argument is handily falsifiable. Look the slippery slope predicted in Humanae Vitae in terms of public morality, relations between the sexes especially husbands and wives and so on to see one that has been thoroughly verified!
ReplyDeletePaul I was thinking the same thing, the premise for reductio ad absurdum can be made in many cases!!
ReplyDelete