STRAW PERSONS Meaning and
Definition
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Straw persons, also commonly known as straw men or straw women, refers to a concept used in argumentation or debate to create a weak or easily refutable representation of an opponent's argument. This technique involves misrepresenting or oversimplifying the opposing viewpoint in order to make it easier to attack or discredit. By constructing a straw person, a debater can manipulate the argument by weakening the opposition and diverting attention away from the actual points being made.
A straw person is typically constructed by selecting a few extreme or misrepresented elements of an opponent's argument and exaggerating them. This distortion aims to make the opponent's position seem illogical, weak, or irrational. By attacking this misrepresented version, the debater can give the illusion of refuting the opponent's position, rather than addressing their actual arguments.
The use of straw persons can be seen as a fallacious or unfair technique in argumentation, as it does not engage with the actual arguments being presented and can sidestep valid points. It is important to recognize when straw persons are being used in order to critically evaluate the claims and maintain a fair and balanced discussion. Identifying and addressing the actual arguments and reasoning of an opponent is essential to effective and respectful discourse.
Common Misspellings for STRAW PERSONS
- stra persons
- atraw persons
- ztraw persons
- xtraw persons
- dtraw persons
- etraw persons
- wtraw persons
- srraw persons
- sfraw persons
- sgraw persons
- syraw persons
- s6raw persons
- s5raw persons
- steaw persons
- stdaw persons
- stfaw persons
- sttaw persons
- st5aw persons
- st4aw persons
- strzw persons
Etymology of STRAW PERSONS
The term "straw persons" is derived from the combination of two words: "straw" and "persons".
1. Straw: The term "straw" comes from the Old English word "streaw", which referred to the dry, hollow stalks of grain plants such as wheat or barley. In colloquial usage, "straw" has come to signify something of little value or substance.
2. Persons: The term "persons" comes from the Latin word "persona", which originally referred to the masks worn by actors in ancient Roman theater. Over time, it came to mean an individual or human being.
The formation of "straw persons" is a variation of the widely used term "straw man". In argumentation and debate, a "straw man" is a rhetorical technique in which an opponent's position is misrepresented or exaggerated for the purpose of easily refuting it.
