Complex Question Fallacy
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
The complex question fallacy occurs when a question contains a presupposition or assumption that the respondent does not hold or cannot accept, and regardless of whether the respondent answers affirmatively or negatively, they implicitly acknowledge that presupposition or assumption.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
The complex question fallacy occurs when a question contains a presupposition or assumption that the respondent does not hold or cannot accept, and regardless of whether the respondent answers affirmatively or negatively, they implicitly acknowledge that presupposition or assumption.
Anchor fast decisions
Belonging to the same category as the 'complex question' fallacy, it involves covertly embedding an unverified assumption within a question, such that any direct answer is equivalent to accepting that assumption. The mechanism lies in the invisibility of linguistic presupposition: listeners tend to first accept the question's framework before considering its content, thereby being led into the trap.
MINIMUM ACTION
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8D%E6%9D%82%E9%97%AE%E8%AF%ADverified
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