Question

In the context of argumentation, what does "Ipse Dixit" refer to?

a) Offering strong evidence for a claim
b) Asserting a proposition without proof
c) Using personal anecdotes to support an argument
d) Presenting logical reasoning in a clear manner

Answer 1

Ipse Dixit refers to asserting a proposition without proof, which relies solely on the speaker's authority rather than logical evidence or supporting claims. Option B is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of argumentation, "Ipse Dixit" refers to asserting a proposition without proof, which is option b). This term is often used to describe an argument that lacks a factual basis or supporting evidence, instead relying on the authority of the person who states it.

It is a fallacy because it does not meet the criteria of logical reasoning and supporting claims with convincing evidence, which can include expert opinions, anecdotes, statistics, and facts, among others. The term essentially denotes a kind of authoritative assertion that expects listeners to accept the claim just because the speaker says so, without providing any substantive evidence or logical argument to support it.