Fallaverism

A meta-fallacy where, instead of refuting an argument, one simply asserts it contains a logical fallacy and then shifts the entire discussion into a pedantic meta-debate about fallacies. The goal is to win by default—by moving the goalposts to a terrain of technical rhetoric where you can accuse your opponent of being "illogical," thus avoiding the original, often uncomfortable, point. It's a tactic of rhetorical jiu-jitsu used by those who can't win on substance.

Example: "You: 'The policy has hurt low-income families, here's the data.' Opponent: 'That's just an argumentum ad misericordiam! You're appealing to pity!' This is Fallaverism—they've declared a fallacy and forced you into a defensive debate about logic textbooks, while the data on family suffering goes unaddressed."

Fallaverism by Abzugal January 30, 2026