"the Bailey, represents a philosophical doctrine.. desirable to its proponent but only lightly defensible. The Motte is the defensible but undesired position to which one retreats when hard pressed."
— 'Elliott Waterman' (@iamtheWaterman) May 11, 2023
-N Shackel 2005
Wokespeak dictionary,srcs & analysis:https://t.co/mITtzaow7J pic.twitter.com/BzpEAGFjLM
THE MOTTE-AND-BAILEY: HOW BAD ARGUMENTS HIDE BEHIND SAFE ONES
— Mr. Gerald Wayne (@geraldwayne) August 6, 2026
The motte-and-bailey doctrine describes a common debate trick.
Someone starts with a bold claim.
“The media lies about everything.”
That is the bailey. It is broad, dramatic, and difficult to defend.
Then someone… pic.twitter.com/xCoavSnWf3
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