(no subject)

[nonethefewer]

I want there to be an argument fallacy that means "When one person is being overwhelmingly picky and literal-minded and bloody knows better (which is different from asking clarifying questions)".  I want the resolution of this fallacy to be a brick to the face.

There's no actual reasoning for this, I just do.

Comments

[kaytebell.livejournal.com]

does that come with a Universal Dental plan?

[tshuma]

I want this, too.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

It's similar to an ad hominem attack and equivocation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivocation#In_formal_logic).

[the-xtina.livejournal.com]

Equivocation is half-right.  It doesn't have the brick-in-the-face resolution, though.

[stacebass.livejournal.com]

Just call 'em a pissant.

It's only ad hominem when you're using it to discredit their argument.

[tevriel.livejournal.com]

I just call that pedantry, but there probably is a formal argument version of it.

[bernmarx.livejournal.com]

I don't think the behavior is considered a fallacy, but it is a violation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gricean_maxim) of Grice's Quantity and Manner maxims; more broadly, a violation of the Cooperative Principle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooperative_principle) -- that is to say, if you're saying something that a reasonable person would interpret as being "good enough," your audience is being a prick by making you provide more exact information.

So you at least have the linguists on your side. Not about the brick, though; we're mostly a pacifist lot.

[brynndragon.livejournal.com]

For some reason, I often find myself imitating football refs when these sorts of things come up. It's good to have a new call to add to the list: "Number 53 offense, Cooperation Principle. 10-yard penalty, repeat first down."

Now I just need to come up with a gesture for it. That's the best part really, even though people on the internet never get to see them.

[bernmarx.livejournal.com]

How about clasping your own hands together, waist level, and then pulling them abruptly apart? Unless that's already in use, of course. :)

[alchemi.livejournal.com]

The solution is to name it yourself. After them. Like say it is "John" who is doing it. From now on anytime anyone does it say "don't pull that johnbeingadickhead shit on me."

[geekgirrl.livejournal.com]

Heh. Mom used to tell me I was being "Deliberately Obtuse" when I did that to her.