Download This PaperPoisoning the Well
Argumentation, Vol. 20, pp. 273-307, 2006
29 Pages Posted: 6 Mar 2011
Date Written: 2006
Abstract
In this paper the fallacy of poisoning the well is analyzed as a tactic to silence an opponent, violating her right to put forward arguments on an issue both parties have agreed to discuss. It is concluded that it is a special form of strategic attack used by one party in the argumentation stage of a critical discussion to improperly shut down the capability of the other party for putting forward arguments of the kind needed to properly move the discussion forward.
Keywords: ad hominem, bias, commitment, personal attack, fallacy, argumentation
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Walton, Douglas, Poisoning the Well (2006). Argumentation, Vol. 20, pp. 273-307, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1760111
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Recommended Papers
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN