When the ground is rigged: presumption fallacies

Definition

Presumption fallacies rig the ground before the argument starts. Begging the question smuggles the conclusion into a premise; the loaded question smuggles it into a question; the false dilemma smuggles away the other options; special pleading exempts one case from everyone's standard; moving the goalposts raises the standard whenever it's met. None of them argues badly, exactly — they arrange things so no argument is needed.

Memory hook

“Check what the argument assumes before it begins.”

What it sounds like

• It's true because it's the plain truth. (begging the question)
• Why do you keep hiding the accounts? (loaded question)
• Either we act tonight or we lose everything. (false dilemma)
• The rule is the rule — though naturally not for this case. (special pleading)
• Fine, you've shown that — but real proof would be… (moving the goalposts)