This technique is often used by politicians to leave themselves an out. If someone objects to a particular statement, the politician can simply claim the other meaning.
Example:
Individual rights must be championed by the government. It is right for one to believe in God. So government should promote the belief in God.
In this argument, right is used ambiguously. In the phrase individual rights it is used in the sense of a privilege, whereas in the second sentence right is used to mean proper or moral. The questionable conclusion is possible only if the arguer is allowed to play with the meaning of the critical word right.
Circular Reasoning
Circular reasoning involves assuming as a premise that which you are trying to prove. Intuitively, it may seem that no one would fall for such an argument. However, the conclusion may appear to state something additional, or the argument may be so long that the reader may forget that the conclusion was stated as a premise.
Example:
The death penalty is appropriate for traitors because it is right to execute those who betray their own country and thereby risk the lives of millions.
This argument is circular because right means essentially the same thing as appropriate. In effect, the writer is saying that the death penalty is a ppropriate because it is appropriate.
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