Which fallacy does the following passage commit? "Senator Smith suggested that we should pursue a political deal with Iran in order to prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Senator Johnson replied that Smith's plan is an invitation to the Iranians to destroy Israel."

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Lucille Nicholson

5 August, 18:29

Which fallacy does the following passage commit? "Senator Smith suggested that we should pursue a political deal with Iran in order to prevent them from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Senator Johnson replied that Smith's plan is an invitation to the Iranians to destroy Israel."

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Answers (1)

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Xavier Benitez · Answer 1

Straw Man

Explanation:

A straw man is a form of fallacy whereby a speaker in debate refutes his opponent argument, but he, in fact, refutes an argument his opponent did not present at all. In this example, Senator Johnson is hitting a straw man since he does not counter Senator Smith's argument of preventing Iran of obtaining nukes. How can, as per Johnson's argument, then Iran destroy Israel if it is prevented in obtaining nuclear weapons?