A distinction without a difference is a type of

logical fallacy In philosophy, a formal fallacy, deductive fallacy, logical fallacy or non sequitur (; Latin for " tdoes not follow") is a pattern of reasoning rendered invalid by a flaw in its logical structure that can neatly be expressed in a standard logic syst ...

where an author or speaker attempts to describe a distinction between two things where no discernible difference exists. It is particularly used when a word or phrase has

connotation A connotation is a commonly understood cultural or emotional association that any given word or phrase carries, in addition to its explicit or literal meaning, which is its denotation. A connotation is frequently described as either positive ...

s associated with it that one party to an argument prefers to avoid.

Logical form

* Claim X is made where the truth of the claim requires a distinct difference between A and B. * There is no distinct difference between A and B. * Therefore, claim X is false:

Examples

* "I did not lie; I merely stretched the truth a little bit." * From the film ''

This Is Spinal Tap ''This Is Spinal Tap'' (also known as ''This Is Spınal Tap: A Rockumentary by Martin Di Bergi'') is a 1984 American mockumentary film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Christopher Guest, M ...

'': ** Marty: "The last time ''Tap'' toured America, they were, uh, booked into 10,000-seat arenas, and 15,000-seat venues, and it seems that now, on their current tour they're being booked into 1,200-seat arenas, 1,500-seat arenas, and uh I was just wondering, does this mean uh...the popularity of the group is waning?" ** Ian: "Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no...no, no, not at all. I, I, I just think that the... uh... their appeal is becoming more selective."

References

Philosophical arguments Conceptual distinctions Difference Formal fallacies {{Philosophy-stub

Logical form

Examples

See also

References