1. Philosophy 200 Fallacies of Ambiguity, Diversion

2. Equivocation Equivocation relies on the use of an ambiguous word or phrase that is taken to mean something different in each use.

3. Equivocation John Stuart Mill: – The surest proof that something is desirable is that it is desired. People desire pleasure, so pleasure is desirable.

4. Equivocation John Stuart Mill: – The surest proof that something is desirable is that it is desired. People desire pleasure, so pleasure is desirable. Desirable: Able to be desired

5. Equivocation John Stuart Mill: – The surest proof that something is desirable is that it is desired. People desire pleasure, so pleasure is desirable. Desirable: Able to be desired Desirable: Worthy of being desired

6. Amphiboly This is usually unintentional, though very clever persons can use amphiboly to their advantage. Amphiboly is creating an intentionally ambiguous statement in a way that the intended meaning is not the likely interpretation.

7. Amphiboly “Nobody would be a better employee”

8. Amphiboly “Nobody would be a better employee” “You’ll be lucky to get her to work for you”

9. Amphiboly “Nobody would be a better employee” “You’ll be lucky to get her to work for you” “Every hour with him is a happy hour”

10. Composition/Division Parts of wholes do not always share features of wholes (composition) Wholes do not always share features of their parts (division)

11. Attacking Straw Men It is vitally important when arguing with someone to ascertain exactly what their position really is. You can’t refute what you don’t understand. Attacking a straw man is attacking a version of someone’s arguments that they do not in fact hold.

12. Red Herrings The origin of this phrase is obscure, often, “smokescreen” works better

13. Red Herrings The origin of this phrase is obscure, often, “smokescreen” works better It means to bring up irrelevant issues that distract from the main issue.

14. Red Herrings The origin of this phrase is obscure, often, “smokescreen” works better It means to bring up irrelevant issues that distract from the main issue. It is more an abusive rhetorical tactic than a fallacy.