[quote=Hydra]What do you call an argument (or statement) that is an example of the very thing it seeks to refute.

'Fishing'. I prefer 'angling', but most moderators take the lower road.

For example: If a guy argues that the USA should place claymoor mines in proximity with a border fence (as many, many, have argued), one could fish that statement; pretending to agree with that scenario, and ask, " Can I be the guy to hose the fence down the next morning?"

However, a true angler would reason that this is a great opportunity to harvest fresh placebo for medical research.

Last edited by R. Eastcourt; 11/14/2007 2:10 AM.