"At some point you’ve probably heard an opinion of yours about morality, religion, or politics summarily dismissed with a reaction like: “You only say that because you’re a _____!” or “That’s just an excuse for _______.”
Frustrating, isn’t it?
If you’ve supplied reasons for your position, they don’t tackle those reasons.
...What many might not realize, however, is that this action is a fallacy known as Bulverism.
The name was coined by C.S. Lewis in an essay included in his widely read collection God in the Dock.
In essence, Bulverism is a toxic hybrid of two better-known fallacies: petitio principii (begging the question) and ad hominem (impugning one’s opponent’s character without addressing his argument).
For reasons that should alarm critical thinkers, Bulverism has become so common – especially in politics – as to approach the status of a rhetorical norm.
I shall explain that shortly, but first a caveat.
Not every criticism that sounds like Bulverism is a fallacy..."
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