Fallacy Of Accent
Preface
Photo: Portofino, Italy, 20221014, Facebook
Article originally published on Blogger 20151104, revised on Blogger for an entry on academia.edu 20251013.
The review of the Pirie text continues.
PIRIE, MADSEN (2006)(2015) How To Win Every Argument, Bloomsbury, London.
Pirie
Cited
'The fallacy of accent defends for its effectiveness on the fact the meaning of statements can change, depending on the stress put on words. The accenting of words or phrases can give a meaning quite different from that intended, and can add implications which are not part of the literal meaning.' (31).
Example used
'Light your cigarette' (31).
a) Without accent it looks like an invitation. (31).
b) As opposed to lighting a tablecloth or something else. (31).
c) Instead of someone else. (31).
d) Instead of sticking it in your ear. (31).
The author notes that by changing the accent, the meaning can be changed. (31)
'Light your cigarette', reads like an invitation or instruction.
''Light your CIGARETTE', reads as if an instruction to light the cigarette instead of something else.
'Light YOUR cigarette' read like an instruction to light your own cigarette and not another's.
'LIGHT your cigarette' reads as an invitation, instead of sticking it in your ear.
The author states: 'The fallacy lies with the additional implications introduced by emphasis. (32).
For this website context, that being theology, philosophy of religion, philosophy and Bible, this following statement from Pirie is relevant and profound:
'Your most widespread use of the fallacy of accent can be to discredit opponents by quoting them with an emphasis they never indented'. (32). He notes that Richelieu needed six lines by which to hang an honest man. (32).
I reason he is meaning Cardinal Richelieu of France. This would be a good historical example where Christianity was politicized and did not closely follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his disciples, the Apostles and scribes.
The use of accent in a fallacious manner can twist words for the purpose of a lie.
Another example provided:
'Samson was blinded by the king of the Philistines who had promised not to touch him'. (32).
One can promise not to touch you, but pay to have someone else blind you...
One should pay special attention to the educated and elite, whether in a political, corporate, religious or other context when he or she may be using the fallacy of accent to persuade the masses.
But of course the masses can use the fallacy as well.
Aristotle
This fallacy was noted by Aristotle.
Cited
'An argument depending upon accent it is not easy to construct in unwritten
discussion; in written discussions and in poetry it is easier. Thus
(e.g.) some people emend Homer against those who criticize as unnatural
his expression to men ou kataputhetai ombro. For they solve the difficulty
by a change of accent, pronouncing the ou with an acuter accent. Also,
in the passage about Agamemnon's dream, they say that Zeus did not
himself say 'We grant him the fulfilment of his prayer', but that
he bade the dream grant it. Instances such as these, then, turn upon
the accentuation.'
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Accent fallacy relies on unclear, unconcise, emphasis and tone presented. This can be verbal or written.
Amphiboly was a related fallacy mentioned by Aristotle. It uses ambiguous, unclear, unconcise syntax and grammar. This can be verbal or written.
Amphiboly was a related fallacy mentioned by Aristotle. It uses ambiguous, unclear, unconcise syntax and grammar. This can be verbal or written.
