Limited Scope
The fallacy of offering a mere definition or rephrasing in place of a genuine explanation, resulting in an incomplete or circular account.
THE IDEA
Limited Scope
Description: A purported explanation has limited scope when it merely redefines the phenomenon instead of explaining why it occurs. The account is incomplete.
Example #1: "It isn't working" is just another way of saying "broke down", and fails to explain why it broke down.
Example #2: Not taking enough time to consider choices is precisely what a hasty decision is. Again, no explanation is offered, just a definition in place of an explanation.
Exception: If “because” is replaced with a phrase like, “in other words”, then it is a deliberate clarification, and not a fallacy.
When to use it
When evaluating arguments in academic writing, check that explanations go beyond merely restating the phenomenon.
In debates, ensure that both sides offer causal or mechanistic explanations rather than circular definitions.
When teaching, help students differentiate between defining a term and explaining why something happens.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Broken Machine
Explanation: "It isn't working" is just another way of saying "broke down", and fails to explain why it broke down.
Hasty Decision
Explanation: Not taking enough time to consider choices is precisely what a hasty decision is. Again, no explanation is offered, just a definition in place of an explanation.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you identify a recent conversation where someone offered a redefinition instead of a real explanation?
How can you avoid the limited scope fallacy in your own reasoning?
What distinguishes a clarifying rephrasing from a fallacious redefinition?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies