A level revision

Conflation

Conflation happens when an argument brings two or more concepts, actions or ideas together and treats them as the same thing. Typically the concepts involved share many similarities but it still doesn't mean they can be interchanged with one another. For example:

Too many people in our country are fat. Unfit people put a strain on the health service, we should therefore encourage the government to help people loose weight.

Here the terms 'fat' and 'unfit' are conflated. Whilst it is true that many fat people are unfit it is not the case for everyone who is overweight and vice versa. The problem with conflation is that it the argument starts to fall apart. If it is unfit people putting a strain on the health service then the government doesn't just need to help people loose weight but lead healthier life styles as there will be unfit people are who are not overweight, for example smokers.