tunnepargument

Tunnepargument is a term used to describe a specific type of logical fallacy. It is characterized by a shift in the subject of a debate or argument mid-discussion, without explicitly acknowledging the change. This can lead to confusion and a false sense of agreement or resolution, as participants may believe they are still discussing the original topic when they are, in fact, addressing a different one.

The core mechanism of a tunnepargument involves subtly introducing a new, related but distinct, idea and then continuing the discourse as if this new idea were the original point of contention. The effectiveness of this fallacy often relies on the audience's inattentiveness or the close similarity between the original and the shifted subject, making the transition difficult to detect in real-time.

For example, a discussion about the economic impact of a new policy might subtly shift to a discussion about the ethical implications of the same policy without a clear transition. The debaters might continue to use similar language, making the shift less apparent. Recognizing a tunnepargument requires careful attention to the definitions and scope of the points being made throughout an argument. It is a deceptive tactic that undermines productive discourse by preventing genuine engagement with the initial proposition.