Examplegegnerische

Examplegegnerische is a coined adjective used in German-language discourse to describe argumentative techniques that foreground counterexamples to oppose a claim. The term characterizes approaches that frame objections by presenting specific instances or cases that challenge generalizations, rules, or hypotheses rather than relying solely on abstract reasoning.

Origin and usage: It is a neologism rather than a standard term in philosophy or rhetoric, appearing primarily in online debates, language blogs, and teaching materials on argumentation. The form blends the English 'example' with the German adjective 'gegnerische' meaning opposing, and is typically used attributively, e.g., examplegegnerische argumentation.

Characteristics and evaluation: Key features include explicit listing of counterexamples, testing the limits of a claim, and a tendency to shift discussion toward concrete instances. While useful for clarifying scope and exposing exceptions, the technique risks cherry-picking or overgeneralization if counterexamples are unrepresentative or selective.

Relation to related concepts: The approach is related to counterexample, reductio ad absurdum, and dialectical methods, but examplegegnerische is distinct in its emphasis on counterexample-driven opposition. In practice, it is one of several strategies for scrutinizing a claim; its effectiveness depends on the quality and representativeness of the counterexamples used.