Equivocation
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
In the process of argumentation, the same word is used with different meanings at different points, causing the logical derivation to appear valid but actually be absurd. For example: "Love is a kind of emotion; God is love; therefore, God is a kind of emotion." (The definition of "love" differs before and after).
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Reveals the essence of word games. Many commercial contract disputes or philosophical debates are essentially not disputes over facts, but over definitions. Before deep communication, conducting "semantic calibration" is the only way to prevent this type of fallacy.
Anchor fast decisions
The same word takes on different meanings at different points in an argument, making invalid reasoning appear valid. It exploits the illusion that "same form implies same meaning" and is a typical example of the fallacy of ambiguity.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/4Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivocationverified
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