Which logical fallacy involves ridiculing an oversimplified version of an argument?

The logical fallacy that involves ridiculing an oversimplified version of an argument is the straw man fallacy. This fallacy occurs when someone takes a complex argument and distorts it into a simplified or exaggerated version, making it easier to attack or refute. By attacking this weakened version of the argument instead of the original, the responder creates a misleading representation of the issue at hand.

For example, if someone argues for environmental regulations aimed at reducing pollution, a straw man response might be, "My opponent wants to shut down all factories and put everyone out of work," which misrepresents the original argument. This tactic evades the actual discussion about the benefits of regulation and undermines honest debate.

In contrast, the other options represent different types of logical errors: circular arguments restate the conclusion as a premise without genuine support, cherry picking refers to selectively presenting evidence that supports one's claim while ignoring contrary evidence, and false dilemmas present a limited set of options as if they are the only possibilities, neglecting other potential choices. Each of these fallacies misguides the argument in different ways, but the one that specifically critiques an oversimplified version is the straw man fallacy.