Loaded Question
Category: Fallacy

What is it?

This type of question is tricky because any direct answer will imply agreement with the hidden assumption. It's a way of trapping someone into admitting something they might not believe.

Examples

"Have you stopped cheating on your exams?"

"Why do you support a policy that is so harmful to the environment?"

How to Avoid This

Ask neutral questions that don't contain hidden assumptions. If you want to ask about a controversial topic, do so directly rather than embedding it in a question.

How to Counter This

Do not answer the question directly. Instead, challenge the hidden assumption. 'Your question assumes that I have cheated on my exams in the past, which is not true.' Or, 'Your question assumes the policy is harmful, but I don't agree with that premise.'

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