whataboutist

  • Deestan@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Pedantery ahoy, but I’ll take your question at face value.

    There is no such term, as nobody is a whataboutist. Whataboutism is a rhethoric tool.

    While some rhethoric tools are always used intentionally, like jaq-ing and concern trolling. some are frequently (far from always!) used unconsciously because they just feel right:

    Attack on character, sealioning, whataboutism, appeal to authority, argument to moderation, fallacy of the beard, false dilemma, false equivalence, kettle logic, et cetera.

    In my experience, the answer to your question is “usually not”.

      • JoBo@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        Whataboutery is a much better term than whataboutism. And doesn’t lend itself to mischaracterisation as a personality trait rather than a fallacious style of argument.

        • NeoNachtwaechter@lemmy.worldOP
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          1 year ago

          Whataboutery is a much better term

          Never heard it, though…

          mischaracterisation as a personality trait rather than a fallacious style of argument.

          Probably both. At least the people I’ve seen using it have done it regularly.