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Comment by the_gipsy | Hacker News Reader

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the_gipsy·

So, "lying".

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A specific and interesting form of lying! The pantheon of lies is rich enough to warrant additional terminology :)

Are there other examples that you particularly like?

The fallacy of the undistributed middle is particularly prevalent. However, in practice it is usually hidden in implications rather than explicitly stated. For example:

1. Murder is a crime. 2. We should be tough on murder. 3. Therefore, we should be tough on crime. (Deliberately) Omitted: Jaywalking is a crime. Should we be tough on jaywalking?

We should legalize jaywalking, since it was an invention of the car industry to deflect attention from how dangerous their products were (and are) and is unnecessary for a functioning society. I realize you're using the example rhetorically, but still ... that is what we should do about jaywalking.

And now we illustrate the 2nd-order of the fallacy of the undistributed middle.

1. Situation X in my mind is jaywalking. 2. We should legalize Situation X. 3. Therefore, we should legalize jaywalking. (Accidentally?) Omitted: Situation Y is jaywalking. Should we legalize Situation Y?

Oh there's a whole lying taxonomy and nomenclature. Be assured of it. But only the members of the inner house are allowed to see it. It is restricted technology.

Two of my favorites are "Affirming the Consequent" and the logically equivalent "Denying the Antecedent". How about you?

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