The Curse of Knowledge
Definition: This fallacy is not used as a means for persuasion, but it is more a lapse of logic. It is found mainly in a teaching setting whether it is in a school, a seminar, or a one on one relationship. The curse of knowledge is shown when an instructor - usually of high intellect - is communicating information under the assumption that the listener already has a strong grasp on the subject matter. In most cases it is unintentional because the speaker may not realize the gap in knowledge. There is difference between the curse of knowledge and boasting; someone may be speaking complexly in order to flaunt their intelligence and be fully aware of it. The main distinction is in their intentionality. A person under the curse of knowledge will not be aware of their audience because they are so used to conversing with people on their level.
Real World: In many classroom settings it is very easy for a highly educated instructor to enter a lecture unconsciously being in a mental state to teach higher level students. The teacher will most likely just skip the basics and graze over terms that are in need of explanation.
Film or Literature: Well displayed in The Imitation Game, Alan Turing designed a computer amidst World War Two, designed to decode Nazi enigma. Yes, because of poetic licensing some of the story was over dramatized, but it did portray the intellectual difference between Turing and his co-workers well. There were many cases in which he tried to explain his own invention - that saved thousands of lives - to those in charge of him, but they could not understand his work and almost scrapped the project because of a misunderstanding.
Visual:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzcTgrxMzZk
Brianna Harnack
Mr. Soria
AP Language
Logical Fallacies: Wiki Assignment
A circular argument restates the conclusion instead of proving and supporting the main argument; thus, this type of argument is named the circular argument. In clarification, the argument uses the conclusion as the main idea of the argument to prove that the argument is justifiable, which leads to the opponent not having any room for argument because the first argumentor concluded the argument.
An example of a circular argument is a conversation with a friend, “Hey do you think I am right?” says friend. “No you aren’t right. I am right because I am right”. (As one may see, the main point of the speaker's argument was the support and defensive).
On Seinfeld,, the main character Elaine utilizes a circular fallacy when she says, “Oh no my old number is 626, but now it’s also my new number, so technically it’s my old number” (Seinfeld script 96). Elaine the protagonist, utilizes her support, to her being right, to win the argument. Thus, this leaves no room for the opponent to argue back.
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