Spot Bad-Faith Arguments

A bad-faith argument is not about finding truth; it is about winning the moment. Watch for these red flags.

Common Bad-Faith Tactics

• Straw Man: Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
• Ad Hominem: Attacking the person rather than their argument.
• False Dilemma: Presenting only two options when more exist.
• Appeal to Emotion: Using fear or outrage instead of evidence.
• Moving the Goalposts: Changing the standard of proof after initial demands are met.

The Response

Name the tactic, then return to the substance. “You're attacking me, not my argument. Here's my argument again.” Bad-faith arguments often collapse when the tactic is named clearly.