When an arguer magnifies the importance of a weak argument out of proportion and uses it to discredit the other person's entire position, the arguer risks committing the fallacy of
A)simple evasion.
B)shifting ground.
C)ad hominem argument.
D)seizing on a trivial point.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is the fallacy of "seizing on a trivial point" also known as the fallacy of "ignoring the main point" or "ignoratio elenchi". It occurs when an arguer focuses excessively on a minor or insignificant aspect of an argument and tries to use it to undermine the entire argument. By doing so, the arguer tries to divert attention from the main issue and hopes to confuse or mislead the audience. This fallacy is often used in political debates, where a candidate may seize on a small mistake made by their opponent and use it to discredit their entire platform.

When an Arguer Magnifies the Importance of a Weak Argument