False Dilemma

Disciplines > Argument > Fallacies > False Dilemma

Description | Discussion | Example | See also

Description

Either A or B is true. If A is true, B is therefore false. C is not an option.

The other person is offered a choice where rejecting one item acts as a selection of the other.

Example

Either you are with me or against me.

We have to spend less on hospitals, otherwise we won't be able to afford education improvements.

Discussion

This is based on the assumption that the choices offered are the only choices. By focusing on the choice, the decision to be made, the other person is distracted from the fact that there may be other alternatives.

This is usually presented as two choices, although more may sometimes be used.

Classification

Assumptive, Distraction, Falsehood

Also known as

Bifurcation, False Dichotomy