Talk:Appeal to ridicule

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[edit] Questionable example

Is the statment

"If Einstein's theory of relativity is right, that would mean that when I drive my car it gets shorter and heavier. That's crazy!"

really an appeal to ridicule? My understanding of the general relativity ( which I'll admit is only very basic ) is that the claim the car gets shorter and heavier is in fact true, albeit only be a miniscule ammount. Astaroth5 15:15, 23 December 2005 (UTC)

Yes it is, since it follows the definition of appeal to ridicule given in the article. It presents Einstein's theory in a way which seems ridiculous to the audience. Rbarreira 16:13, 21 January 2006 (UTC)
Exactly so. An appeal to ridicule doesn't necessarily need to lie, it just needs to make something seem bizarre or counterintuitive, often through rhetorical devices. -Silence 16:44, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

OK, point taken, it is a valid example, guess I've just been working in science/engineering too long cause I accept such statment as reasonable! :-) Astaroth5 21:31, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

I know exactly what you mean ;) Rbarreira 00:13, 24 January 2006 (UTC)
"If the theory of evolution were true, that would mean that your grandfather was a gorilla!". While this statement seems to be appealing to ridicule, it's also false. I think a correct but ridiculous statement (like the relativity one) would be a better example, any suggestions? Shinglor 15:08, 20 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] It doesn't take a rocket scientist

I would like to see someone incorporate a section demonstrating how the phrase "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to..." (or some similar phrase) is an example of Appeal to Ridicule. I tried to do it myself but I didn't feel my example was professional enough, but I might add it back if no one else gives one I think is better. Mal7798 (talk) 20:04, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Think 'it doesn't take a rocket scientist to ...' may be an example of ad hominem, or a borderline case. Interested in what others think though. Donnachadh (talk)