Stolen Concept

Definition:

One or more concepts on which an argument logically depends are denied in the argument.

Examples:

(i) There are absolutely no absolutely true statements.
(ii) It is impossible for people to communicate with one another.
(iii) I do not exist.
(iv) Physics has proven science is incapable of telling us anything true.

Proof:

In putting forth his argument the author both accepts and denies the same proposition, (though usually not explicitly) thus accepts contradictory positions. This is essentially the same as Aristotle's "reaffirmation through denial".

References:

Rand: 79

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