Dicto Simpliciter

By Kate Hoover and Ana Petraglia

Definition of Dicto Simpliciter

A dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid An argument based on an unqualified, sweeping

generalization The result can be stereotypical

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Photo Credit: https://bookofbadarguments.com/

Contemporary Culture
In no nation are the fruits of accomplishment more secure. In no nation is the government more worthy of respect. No country is more loved by its people. ~ President Herbert Hoovers Inaugural Speech

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, www.flickr.com www.flickr.com

Contemporary Culture
DIRECTV Commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=5v-JuG6YMqI

Contemporary Culture

Photo Credit: Calvin and Hobbes: Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons

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The use of an inadequate generalization, dicto simpliciter is often found in childrens literature, political speeches, and television advertisement, with the intentions to entice the audience. In the first example, the rabbit is pointing out a strange beam of light; without proven qualifications, it generalizes that it must be aliens visiting us from another planet. The rabbit bases its observation off of an opinion due to prior experienceunaware of other possibilities. Presidents are also guilty of using dicto simpliciter within their speeches. In this case, the 31st president, Herbert Hoover, displays fallacious deceit within his inaugural speech by assuming that no country is more loved by its people in the United States of America. Without considering every individuals political view, he presumes that citizens devote themselves to the country. Aside from governmental topics, this fallacy can be found in Calvin and Hobbes: a popular comic among youth. In the comic, Calvin theorizes that math is not a science, it is a religion. He concludes that [math is] a religion! Lacking logical explanation, Calvin presents a bias argument on the purpose of education and schooling. In the commercial business, persuasive fallacies are used to attract the viewers into purchasing the advertised product. DIRECTV uses dicto simpliciter in its well-known commercials; a chain of events that leads to the audience being told to get rid of cable, and upgrade to DIRECTV. Using this method of exaggerated statements, the commercial serves to convince the general public into seeing the reason behind a product even though it used false generalizations. Dicto simpliciter proves to be an effective subterfuge used to influence the beliefs and decisions of society.

Works Cited
Hoover, Herbert C. "Swearing-In Ceremony for President Herbert C. Hoover." Herbert Hoover, 1929. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.