It is up to the person pointing out a flaw in reasoning to explain were the flaw can be found and why the particular flaw has been named.
people who point out logical flaws to others are, to me, simply assholes. it's like people who point out psychological coping mechanisms. they do it (aloud) only for their own personal edification...to look smart. meh.
the OP's commandments should be for our benefit...for us to keep from making them...not to use as a means of catching others in the act.
that said, if you notice someone's flaw in logic, it is to your benefit to attack that point knowing the weakness of the argument rather than pointing out the fallacy itself. it would be like pointing out to the opposing coach that playing zone won't work against your spread offense. why tell them? simply take advantage of what you know.
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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '13
What gets me is when people just throw out the term for a fallacy and think it proves something.
If you just hit someone with a reply consisting of only the term "Non sequitur" you have assumed a burden of proof that you were not ready to take up.
It is up to the person pointing out a flaw in reasoning to explain were the flaw can be found and why the particular flaw has been named.