Missing the point

Informal fallacies → Relevance / appeals

Missing the point (ignoratio elenchi) is when you answer a different question or talk about something related but not what was asked. You might be right about what you say, but it doesn't address the issue. The fallacy is to argue past the point instead of engaging with it. Listeners can be left with the impression that something was answered when it wasn't. The remedy is to nail down the exact question and answer it.

Examples

  • Did they break the agreement? — The company is very well known and has been around for years.

  • Is this product safe? — It's our bestseller.

  • Why did you leave early? — I had a lot on.

  • Was the test fair? — The students had plenty of time.

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