(philosophy) An argument for the existence of sense-data, and thus a criticism of direct realism, according to which what we perceive (such as a stick that looks bent because it is viewed underwater) is distinct from the actual thing perceived (the straight stick).

plural of argument from illusion

(physics) A thought experiment linking general relativity and gravitational waves, based on the idea of two beads sliding freely (but with a small amount of friction) on a rigid rod. As the wave passes over the rod, atomic forces hold the length of the rod fixed, but the proper distance between the two beads oscillates. Thus, the beads rub against the rod, dissipating heat.

plural of argument from design

(philosophy) The argument, famously made by Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951), that a private language cannot exist.

(economics) The argument against the labor theory of value pointing out that mud pies that take an immense amount of labor still have little to no value.

plural of argument from silence

An argument based on the absence of something being mentioned in documents as evidence.

plural of argument from ignorance

A fallacy where a proposition is assumed to be true because it has not yet been proved false, or vice versa.