>[!abstract] >A loaded question is a form of complex question that contains a controversial assumption (e.g., a presumption of guilt). Such questions may be used as a rhetorical tool: the question attempts to limit direct replies to be those that serve the questioner's agenda. The traditional example is the question "Have you stopped beating your wife?" (Wikipedia, 2025). >[!related] >- **North** (upstream): [[Informal fallacies]] >- **West** (similar): [[Complex question fallacy]] >- **East** (different): [[Straight question]] (neutral framing) >- **South** (downstream): —