Strawman Fallacy
Also known as: Straw Man Argument, Strawman Argument, Aunt Sally
Formulated by Aristotle (-350)
Definition
A logical fallacy in which someone misrepresents or distorts another person's argument, making it easier to attack. Instead of addressing the actual position, the arguer substitutes a weaker, simplified, or exaggerated version, a 'straw man', and then refutes that distorted version as if it were the original. This creates the illusion of having defeated the opponent's argument without ever engaging with it. Rooted in techniques analyzed by Aristotle in his Sophistical Refutations, the strawman fallacy is pervasive in political debate, media, and everyday arguments.