Loaded Question

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Contents 1 Synonyms 2 Explanation 2.1 Example 3 Countermeasure 4 Category 5 External Links 6 Examples in creationist arguments

Synonyms

• Complex Question
• Fallacy of Ill-posed Question
• Fallacy of Interrogation
• Fallacy of Interrogative Presupposition
• Fallacy of Loaded Question
• Fallacy of Many Questions
• Fallacy of Presupposition
• Leading Question
• Many Questions
• Multiple Questions or Assertions
• Plurium interrogationum
• Surfeit of Questions
• Trick Question

Explanation

A Loaded Question is a question which has another question or an assumption mixed up in it.

Example

"Have you admitted that evolution is not supported by the evidence?"

This question contains in it the assumption that evolution is not supported by the evidence, so answering either 'yes' or 'no' to that question could still be taken to imply that evolution is unsupported.

Countermeasure

Exposing the assumption hidden in the question.

Category

• Correlative based fallacy

External Links

• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [1]
• Fallacy Files [2]
• Wikipedia [3]
• Stephen Downes [4]

Examples in creationist arguments

• Were you there?
• Would you hire an artisan, driver, or doctor who is known for doing it wrong 999 out of 1,000 times?
• What use is half an eye?
• What use is half a wing?
• Why are languages getting less complex?
• Do you want to be descended from a monkey?