2007
06.08
06.08
An informal subtype of the ad hominem fallacy.
Word: Argumentum Baculum
Definition: An argument that assumes the conclusion is true because the person who formulated it has some sort of power.
Example: “After the mafia Don gave his case he glanced around the room. ’Anybody want to tell me I’m wrong?’, he said. There were no takers.”
Explanation: Baculum is rarely so blatant as the example above. It’s more often unspoken or contextual in relation to the argument given. It often takes the form of someone giving more weight to the more lettered person’s argument in a debate. That would be akin to what Koukl calls the “Rhodes Scholar” tactic.
