Either You Are With Us Or Against Us

Logical Fallacies Part V - The False Dilemma

Every day, we are bombarded with arguments that frame our choices in stark, simplistic terms: Us or Them. Good or Evil. Right or Left. But life and truth rarely fit neatly into two boxes. The False Dilemma is my last of a five-part series on the most common logical fallacies.

False Dilemma

The False Dilemma fallacy (also called the either/or fallacy) presents only two options when there are actually multiple possibilities. It simplifies complex issues into a binary choice, often to make one option appear more desirable or to force the audience into a decision.

As a parent, I often attempted, without much success, to deploy the False Dilemma to get my kids to agree on where we would shop for clothes. Should we go to Marshall’s (inexpensive) or TJ Maxx (also inexpensive)? They were difficult to manipulate - we went to the mall.

Almost anytime you see a short political slogan trying to stir passion, odds are high it’s hiding a False Dilemma underneath. They're not designed to argue logically - they’re designed to frame and end the conversation.

The White House’s recent defense of ignoring due process for deported immigrants is a stark example of a False Dilemma. The President and his supporters are labelling anyone advocating for due process protections as caring more about “rapists and murderers” than their victims. I can’t speak for everyone, but I am NOT pro-murder or pro-rape. I am pro-Constitution and pro-the rule of law.

Every time the United States gets into a military conflict, one of the first slogans that will appear is “Support Our Troops,” the default implication being that those in the country who are hesitant are somehow unsupportive or worse, unpatriotic. But I honestly can’t think of anything more patriotic or supportive of the military than keeping them out of a war.

Back during the 2020 campaign season, when I would go on bike rides, I would often encounter yard signs that started with “In this house, we believe,” followed by slogans like “Science is Real” or “No Human is Illegal.”

These phrases are great examples of the False Dilemma. The intent behind these signs was mostly positive, showing solidarity around decency, rights, and rationality. But rhetorically, they flatten complex policy discussions into implied moral binaries:

• Either you accept this belief fully

• Or you are against basic morality, reason, or compassion.

At the time, I considered printing my own sign:

In this house, we believe:

   Pluto is a planet
   Salt is good
   So is butter
   Bourbon is best!

I guess in truth, it is pretty difficult to do anything other than produce a False Dilemma on these subjects within the space of a yard sign or bumper sticker. There isn’t a lot of room for nuance - the signs would have to be impractically large for anyone to be able to read them.

Here’s an alternative version of the “No Human Is Illegal” slogan:

We believe that while nations must have laws regulating immigration, every person, regardless of their authorized status, deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and humanity. We reject dehumanizing language or policies, and we advocate for compassionate immigration reforms that balance sovereign borders and the needs of our citizenry with respect for the individual human rights of migrants.

That isn’t very catchy. Or how about this for “Science is Real”?

We believe science is a vital method for understanding the natural world. Science is a process of careful observation, testing, debate, and revision, not a static set of unchanging facts. Respect for science means respecting evidence, questioning assumptions, remaining open to new discoveries, and acknowledging that scientific knowledge evolves over time. Good policy should be informed by the best available science, while recognizing that reasonable people can debate how to apply evolving evidence to complex societal challenges.

So I guess we can leave the yard signs and bumper stickers alone.

What is important is recognizing when the False Dilemma (or another logical fallacy) is being deployed in the conversations we are having with friends and colleagues, or between our political leaders. When we identify them in time, we can minimize their impact on the decisions we are making.

And let’s face it. We have our work cut out for us as a society to overcome the deluge of outright false statements and logical fallacies that beset us daily. In the end, spotting a False Dilemma is a little like being that wily kid who dodges the choice between Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. It's a small act of rebellion - and a vital one.