◆ The Codex · 16 of 16
Loaded question
A question that smuggles in an assumption nobody has proven.
Also known as
Complex questionPlurium interrogationumTrick question
The shape of the move
A question presupposes P (unproven). Any direct answer accepts P.
What is the loaded question fallacy?
A loaded question hides a claim inside the question itself. The classic example, "Have you stopped cheating on your exams?", traps you: yes admits you cheated before, no admits you still do.
In debates it's used to force the opponent to accept a premise they'd never agree to if it were stated openly.
Examples
Classic
“Have you stopped cheating on your exams?”
Why it fails: Both yes and no admit to cheating.
Politics
“Why does the minister want to destroy our farmers?”
Why it fails: The intent to destroy is assumed, not shown.
In a debate
“Why do you keep defending a policy you know hurts families?”
Why it fails: It assumes the policy hurts families and that the opponent knows it.
Why it feels convincing
Questions feel neutral, and there's social pressure to answer them directly. Challenging the question can look evasive.
Spot it: Any direct answer concedes something never established.
In the arena
If you’re about to commit it
- State your assumptions as claims and support them.
- Ask open questions — "what would happen if…".
- Check whether your question would be fair to answer.
Instead of
“Why do you ignore the evidence on climate change?”
Try
“How does your plan account for the IPCC finding that emissions must halve by 2030?”
If your opponent commits it
- Don't answer directly.
- Name the hidden assumption.
- Reject or address the assumption, then answer the fair question.
Say this
“That question assumes X, which hasn't been shown. I don't accept X — here's my actual position.”
When it’s not a fallacy
A question with a presupposition is fine if that presupposition has already been established or agreed — for example, asking "Why did sales fall?" after the sales figures are shown.
How the Oracle scores it
In an Arguen match, every argument is scored out of 80 across Clarity, Evidence, Logic and Rebuttal. If the Oracle detects a loaded question, it subtracts a penalty and puts the fallacy on your scorecard with the exact quote and a one-sentence explanation — so you see precisely where the chain snapped.
Frequently asked questions
How do you answer a loaded question?
Don't answer yes or no. Point out the hidden assumption and reject it, then address what's fairly being asked.
What is a complex question fallacy?
Another name for a loaded question — one that bundles an unproven claim into the question itself.