Which of the following is defined as a type of irrelevant conclusion fallacy in which a distracting element is introduced to obscure an opponent's position?

AAn appeal to emotion

BAppeal to inappropriate authority

CArgument ad hominem

DRed herring ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) Red herring

Explanation

The described device is the red herring.

It is classed as a variety of the irrelevant conclusion, ignoratio elenchi.

A distracting, off-topic element is dragged in to divert attention from the real issue.

The opponent's actual position is thereby obscured rather than answered.

Winning by leading the argument off track in this way is the red herring fallacy.

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