A slippery slope is the perceived danger of a bad behavior or situation easily degrading into an even worse behavior or situation, resulting in a downward spiral. Slippery slope definition of slippery slope by the free. Despite the initial assertion, little to no evidence is actually given. This begins the slide down the proverbial ethical slippery slope where it becomes more difficult to reverse course because the decision maker is committed to the deceitful action. As such, an argument that a position is a slippery slope isnt necessarily a fallacy.
A slippert slope is an illegitimate use of the ifthen operator. Search slippery slope and thousands of other words in english definition and synonym dictionary from reverso. Slippery slope definition, examples and quiz science terms. Essentially, the idea is that a relatively minor action will inevitably lead to major consequences. The slippery slope is a specific form of logical fallacy. Slippery slope definition, a dangerous and irreversible course. Slippery slope also known as absurd extrapolation, thin edge of the wedge, camels nose, domino fallacy description. The slippery slope is the tenth novel in the childrens novel series a series of unfortunate events by lemony snicket. Slippery slope definition of slippery slope by merriamwebster. The slippery slope fallacy is a logical fallacy where an argument is put forth which asserts that. Slippery slope can also be used as a retort to the establishment of arbitrary boundaries or limitations.
A small action will trigger a chain of events which will lead to a negative outcome. An explanation of the ethical argument known as the slippery slope. Avoiding the ethical slippery slope workplace ethics advice. The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone argues that a certain, relatively insignificant event or course of action will lead to a chain of consequences, eventually resulting in some significant outcome. Slipperyslope principle law and legal definition uslegal, inc. The core of the slippery slope argument is that a specific decision under debate is likely to result in. The slippery slope involves an acceptance of a succession of events without direct evidence that this course of events will happen. Slippery slope definition of slippery slope by merriam. Slippery definition is causing or tending to cause something to slide or fall. Slippery slope is a specific type of logical fallacy. Mar 17, 2020 the slippery slope fallacy is a type of informal fallacy, and more specifically, it belongs to conditional fallacies. Definition slippery slope the slippery slope is a logical fallacy in which a relatively small claim is asserted to inevitably lead to a significant event that must be avoided.
Information and translations of slippery slope in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. A slippery slope is a situation in which events or actions readily progress from one to the next. A tricky precarious situation, especially one that leads gradually but inexorably to disaster. Supreme court ruled the institution should be extended to homosexual couples, sent the definition of marriage sliding down a slippery slope. It was illustrated by brett helquist and released on september 23, 2003. Synonyms for slippery slope at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Als dammbruchargument, genannt auch slipperyslopeargument bzw. Taking drugs is a slippery slope, and if you start you may find yourself addicted, which will lead to a life of dependency and pain.
In this fallacy, a person makes a claim that one event leads to another event and so. Slippery slope definition for englishlanguage learners. Slippery slope definition and meaning collins english. Slippery slope bedeutung im cambridge englisch worterbuch. Slippery definition, tending or liable to cause slipping or sliding, as ice, oil, a wet surface, etc a slippery road. The key to keeping people off the slope, as confirmed in the empirical study, is instilling a prevention focus. The notion behind slippery slope arguments is that we shouldnt do something such as a. Slippery slope fallacy examples in real life, in commercials. A slippery slope argument ssa, in logic, critical thinking, political rhetoric, and caselaw, is often viewed as a logical fallacy in which a party asserts that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in some significant usually negative effect. A slippery slope argument shifts attention from the issue at hand to a hypothetical outcome, offering little or no proof that outcome is likely. Conservative commentator sohrab ahmari, an editor for the new york post and a columnist at first things, suggested in a tweet friday afternoon that the legal redefining of marriage in 2015, when the u.
You can complete the definition of slippery slope given by the english definition dictionary with other english dictionaries. It is an argument that suggests taking a minor action will lead to major and sometimes ludicrous consequences. Van fleet, precisely because we can never know if a whole series of events andor a certain result is determined to follow one event or action in particular. Slippery slope fallacy synonyms, slippery slope fallacy pronunciation, slippery slope fallacy translation, english dictionary definition of slippery slope fallacy. Slippery slope definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Oct 05, 2011 brewers dictionary of phrase and fable defines it as the broad and easy way that leadeth to destruction. However, it is difficult to prove or disprove the potential for a complex chain reaction. Usually, but not always, the slippery slope argument is used as a fear tactic informal logical fallacies, 2011. In order to show that a proposition p is unacceptable, a sequence of increasingly unaccaptable events is shown to follow from p. Declaring that something leads to a slippery slope is a common tactic in fearmongering. Slippery slope meaning of slippery slope by lexico.
Christopher tindale gives a definition that only fits the causal type. It is also known as the domino fallacy, camels nose, thin edge of the wedge, and absurd extrapolation. Slippery slope fallacy definition of slippery slope. Jun 19, 2019 the slippery slope is a fallacy, says jacob e. It is a fallacy that often appeals to peoples emotions or fears. Definition of slippery slope in the idioms dictionary. If someone is on a slippery slope, they are involved in a course of action that is.
In this fallacy, a person makes a claim that one event leads to another event and so on until we come to some awful conclusion. Medical ethics an ethical continuum or slope, the impact of which has been incompletely explored, and which itself raises moral questions that are even more on the ethical edge than the original issue. Before going into the examples, here is a definition of this fallacy. If we let our child out of his room, eventually he will want to leave the house, and will end up on the street. Despite the initial assertion, little to no evidence is actually given to support or prove the causality of this relationship. Definition of slippery slope written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels.
Definition the slippery slope fallacy, also known as the camels nose, is an argument that assumes that certain, usually extreme, consequences will inevitably occur as a result of one event or condition, based on a chain of cause of effect. Slippery slope principle refers to an argument that every relaxation of a constitutionally imposed restraint is an invitation to justify some other or further relaxation of that restraint. The slippery slope fallacy is a type of informal fallacy, and more specifically, it belongs to conditional fallacies. Apr 05, 2020 a slippery slope fallacy can also be created in a second way, based on connections between two ideas. Slippery slope definition of slippery slope by medical.
A retort invoking the slippery slope could go in two different directions. We cant permit the sale of marijuana by doctors prescription, because that will lead people to believe its an acceptable drug. Brewers dictionary of phrase and fable defines it as the broad and easy way that leadeth to destruction. Now the slope has become more slippery in the netherlands. The slippery slope is thus the heart of the danger. Someone can argue that because one thing is similar to another thing, in a way that is difficult to clearly define, then one of those two things does not truly exist. Conceptual slippery slopes, which trudy govier calls the fallacy of slippery assimilation, are closely related to the sorites paradox so, for example, in the context of talking about slippery slopes merilee salmon can say, the slippery slope is an ancient form of reasoning. This principle is usually raised in the context of legalized human euthanasia and in other contexts, such as the right to protection from unreasonable search. If you want to protect the very meaning of masculinity, you must deny them. A slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone makes a claim about a series of events that would lead to one major event, usually a bad event. The slippery slope fallacy consists of arguments that reason if something s were to happen, then something else p will eventually occur, so we should prohibit s from happening. Slippery slope meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. The dutch pediatric associations panel on neonatal ethics has asked the government.
Wikipedia, lexilogos, oxford, cambridge, chambers harrap, wordreference, collins lexibase dictionaries, merriam webster. Slippery slope fallacy definition of slippery slope fallacy. In the novel, violet and klaus baudelaire make their way up the mortmain mountains to rescue their sister sunny from count olaf and his troupe. Coauthored by gabriel weinberg, ceo of duckduckgo and an advisor to the school of thought, it explains over 300 mental models with surprising clarity. Definition of the slippery slope fallacy the slippery slope fallacy is an argument that claims that if one thing happens or is allowed to happen, then that will lead to other steps and ultimately. A slippery slope fallacy can also be created in a second way, based on connections between two ideas. The dutch pediatric associations panel on neonatal ethics has asked the government to permit euthanasia for infants so damaged that.
1265 534 737 387 1103 624 1322 460 805 414 346 397 1432 996 331 975 1101 656 1389 1003 870 863 1265 1140 617 1198 1251 550 76 324 1469 460 743 835 1246 1223 1316 1071 86 662