On the Hypothetical Source of Fake News: Apagogical Reasoning in the Interpretation of Q. CORNIFICIUS’ RHETORICA AD HERENNIUM

Abstract

Q. Cornificius’ Rhetorica ad Herennium (CORN., II.25.39) sets forth arguments that are considered to be flawed by the Roman rhetorician, although theyresemble apagogical arguments. The article is devoted to the analysis of this passage from Rhetorica ad Herennium. The author shows that they can be considered either quasi-enthymematic reasoning or an imperfect form of apagogical reasoning, and maybe also abductive reasoning.This type of reasoning, according to the researcher, is one of the sources of fake news and an example of the so-called “bullshit”.