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What is Equivocation?

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Equivocation is the use of a word with more than one meaning in a misleading way. For example:
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I have the right to eat as much as I want. Therefore, it is right of me to eat 12 hamburgers.
Ducks have feathers. All feathers are light. Therefore ducks are a light color.
Nothing is better than happiness. A donut is better than nothing. Therefore a donut is better than happiness.
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The examples above are intended to be obvious. However, equivocation can be used in ways that are difficult to detect. As such they may cause innocent errors in judgment. Equivocation can also be used as a tool of politics and persuasion such as doublespeak.
Overview: Equivocation
Type
Fallacy
Definition
The use of a word with more than one meaning in a misleading way.
Related Concepts
Doublespeak
Fallacies
Cognitive Biases

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