Question

...
Nadir

Can inferiority complex be seen as an informal fallacy?

I've noticed people can even be in self-contradiction when "hating" others but at the same time want to affiliate with them so badly.

For example X hates Y and brags about imaginary "superiority." But at the same time X tries to affiliate with Y because they recognize some superior traits.

Basically, anything that will make X look better than Y or improve its status.

I call this the fallacy of self-contradiction. But we also know this to be inferiority complex.

Can the inferiority complex be seen as an informal fallacy?

asked on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 03:34:01 AM by Nadir

Top Categories Suggested by Community

Comments
...
1
TrappedPrior (RotE) writes:

A complex itself? No, that's an issue for psychology, not logic.

However, are you trying to refer to the manifestation of such a complex, which may result in the person having it denying that they have it?

Dr Bo was wondering about the argument form, and I imagine something like this:

Gemma: I hate Chloe. She's always acting like she's better than me when she isn't. (1)

Also Gemma: Chloe is better than me at X and Y. I should try to learn from her. (2)

If (1) refers to Chloe being better at something, then this looks like conflicting conditions - Gemma is saying that Chloe isn't better than her (at anything), and then says that Chloe is better than her (at something). This is better referred to as doublethink though, as Gemma - and most people - are not logically oblivious enough to say an outright contradiction like that. 

If Chloe really is better at certain things than Gemma, and she says (1), then this looks like a person in denial. But again, that's not a fallacy.

posted on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 10:54:03 AM
...
0
Nadir writes:
[To TrappedPrior (RotE)]

So I suspected somewhat correct, that it contains a fallacy rather than being one itself.

The fallacy of self-contradiction. "I am better than that person. I want to be like that person."

Yes inferiority complex is a psychological condition and seems to be commonly loaded with the fallacy of self-contradiction.

[ login to reply ] posted on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 05:43:59 PM

Want to get notified of all questions as they are asked? Update your mail preferences and turn on "Instant Notification."

Master the "Rules of Reason" for Making and Evaluating Claims

Claims are constantly being made, many of which are confusing, ambiguous, too general to be of value, exaggerated, unfalsifiable, and suggest a dichotomy when no such dichotomy exists. Good critical thinking requires a thorough understanding of the claim before attempting to determine its veracity. Good communication requires the ability to make clear, precise, explicit claims, or “strong” claims. The rules of reason in this book provide the framework for obtaining this understanding and ability.

This book / online course is about the the eleven rules of reason for making and evaluating claims. Each covered in detail in the book. 

Take the Online Course

Answers

...
Bo Bennett, PhD
2

This would not be a fallacy like any of the others. If it were in argument form, it would be a non sequitur then you make the case that it is common enough to justify being a named fallacy. But I cannot even think how this can be an argument form, so I would just classify this under "human behavior."
answered on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 09:57:32 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

Bo Bennett, PhD Suggested These Categories

Comments
...
0
Nadir writes:

Probably not. Rather it contains the fallacy of self-contradiction. As I suspected and others suggest.

 

 

posted on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 06:05:54 PM
...
Dr. Richard
0

This appears to me to be more of a psychological issue than a logical one.

answered on Thursday, Mar 02, 2023 10:27:47 AM by Dr. Richard

Dr. Richard Suggested These Categories

Comments