Argumentum ad lapidem

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Ad Lapidem is a logical fallacy where someone dismisses a statement as absurd without giving a reason why it is supposedly absurd. It is considered close to the ad hominem fallacy. ^[1]

The argumentum ad lapidem is when a claim is dismissed and no reason is given for the dismissal.

[edit] Example

Albert claims that Bob embezzled money. His opponent, Carl, replies with "He's my friend, he couldn't do something like that."

This commits the argumentum ad lapidem because it simply refutes the claim with no reasoning whatsoever. Carl refutes Albert's claim against Bob because Bob is Carl's friend and not on any logical basis.

[edit] References

1. ^ "Definitions of Fallacies", Dianah Mertz Hsieh, 20 August 1995

[edit] See also

• Proof by assertion

v • d • e Fallacies of relevance General Absurdity • Accident • Ad nauseam • Argument from ignorance • Argument from silence • Argumentum ad populum • Base rate fallacy • Compound question • Fallacy of many questions • Argument to moderation • Naturalistic fallacy • Proof by assertion • Irrelevant conclusion • Special pleading • Straw man • Style over substance fallacy • Two wrongs make a right Appeals to emotion Fear • Flattery • Nature • Novelty • Pity • Ridicule • Repugnance • Spite Genetic fallacies Ad hominem (Ad hominem tu quoque) • Appeal to authority • Appeal to motive • Appeal to tradition • Appeal to wealth • Appeal to poverty • Association fallacy • Bulverism • Chronological snobbery • Ipsedixitism • Poisoning the well • Appeal to Etymology • Reductio ad Hitlerum Appeals to consequences Appeal to force • Wishful thinking