Evaluation of Example 3: Helen Gurley Brown's Legacy
Passage:
“The legendary Cosmo Girl, Helen Gurley Brown,
died and with her, one hopes, a not-so-fabulous legacy. This would be
the demonstrably ridiculous notion women can have it all. … The most
telling line from all the tributes written about her might provide a clue.
Brown said she never had children because ‘I didn't want to give up
the time, the love, the money.
Kathleen Parker, “Death of a Salesgirl,” Index-Journal
94 No. 110 (18 Aug. 2012), 9A.
Analsyis:
Ms. Parker is arguing that there is an
inconsistency between what Ms. Brown says for others and what Ms. Brown
does for herself; hence, the ad hominem (ex concessis)
fallacy occurs.
Ms. Brown claims women can have it all [time, love, money].
Ms. Brown did not give up the time, love, money to have children.
Ms. Brown's claim is false.