Fallacies of Ambiguity Vocabulary

using a word with multiple meanings to mislead

“A feather is light. Light is the opposite of dark. Therefore, a feather is the opposite of dark.”

Origin: Latin `aequivocus` (of equal voice), from `aequus` (equal) + `vox` (voice)

grammatical ambiguity allowing multiple interpretations

“I saw the man with binoculars—was I using them, or was he?”

Origin: Greek `amphibolia` (ambiguity), from `amphi-` (both ways) + `ballein` (to throw)

changing meaning through emphasis or punctuation

“We should not speak ILL of our friends—implying we should speak ill otherwise.”

Origin: From shifting vocal stress to alter meaning

assuming the whole has properties of its parts

“Each brick is light, so the building must be light—composition fallacy.”

Origin: Latin `componere` (to put together)

assuming parts have properties of the whole

“The team is excellent, so each player must be excellent—division fallacy.”

Origin: Latin `dividere` (to divide)

dismissing counterexamples by redefining the category

“No true professional would do that—shifting the goalposts when proven wrong.”

Origin: From a hypothetical argument about Scottish identity