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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