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[–]wizzwizz4[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

No. "This argument proves too much" means "this argument proves too many things". We can both agree that the government shouldn't limit people's speech, can't we? (For the sake of argument, at least, let's assume that this is right.) But can I say "the government shouldn't limit people's speech because speech allows people to express themselves, and things that allow people to express themselves shouldn't be limited"?

No, I can't, in case you were wondering. We agree that murder is bad? Well, by this same argument, "the government shouldn't limit people's ability to murder because murder allows people to express themselves (e.g. their anger towards others), and things that allow people to express themselves shouldn't be limited." This argument proves too much; it proves too many things. It proves things that are right, and things that are wrong.

"This argument proves too much" is a handy way of explaining why an argument is wrong, without getting into complicated details that just sound pedantic (e.g. "false premise"). If you like, I can spend hours explaining the specific problems with your argument, but "this argument proves too much" covers them all.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

This argument proves too much; it proves too many things. It proves things that are right, and things that are wrong.

This response is an indictment of your credibility. You have none.

[–]wizzwizz4[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

You don't understand my argument then. Perhaps you might like to point out the most nonsensical part, so I can try to explain it better; perhaps then I'll see the mistake that's so obvious to you.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Shill rehab.

[–]wizzwizz4[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Well, at least it's an improvement from calling me a shill.

Do you think you could point out the most nonsensical part? I don't think my argument is flawed, and the only way you're going to change that is by making me elaborate on it until it's obvious whether it's right.