A cynical form of load-bearing ambiguity: the motte-and-bailey inchworm.
- A cynical form of load-bearing ambiguity: the motte-and-bailey inchworm.
- The motte-and-bailey bad faith argumentation technique is to make an overbroad statement initially (the bailey), and then if called on it, retreat to a reasonable, defensible statement (the motte).
- If you don't get called on it you get to stay at the bailey.
- This gives you upside with capped downside.
- If you do this repeatedly, you can inchworm the argument forward bit by bit, moving the Overton window.
- One example: making a crass or offensive statement as your bailey, and then saying "I was just joking!" if called on it.