Appeal to Extremes
The appeal to extremes is a logical fallacy that erroneously attempts to make a reasonable argument seem absurd by taking it to an extreme, often misusing the valid technique of reductio ad absurdum.
THE IDEA
Description
Erroneously attempting to make a reasonable argument into an absurd one, by taking the argument to the extremes.
Logical Form
Your proposal is treated as committing you to an extreme consequence, without showing that the consequence follows. The proposal is then rejected because that consequence is unacceptable.
Example #1
“My girlfriend has asked me to help her with the dishes. If I help her with the dishes, she will ask me to help her fold the laundry. If I help her fold the laundry, she will ask me to mow the lawn, fix the car, and build an addition to the house! I can’t do all that, so I’m not going to help her with the dishes.”
Explanation: The request was simply to help with the dishes, not an endless chain of chores. The extreme suggestion leads to an absurd conclusion.
Example #2
“I personally think that God gave us free will to decide what we want to do, but one must draw a line somewhere. If we allow euthanasia, then it will lead to allowing murder of anyone who is a bother. That is clearly wrong, so we should not allow euthanasia.”
Explanation: The argument assumes that allowing one form of end-of-life choice will inevitably lead to widespread murder, an extreme that is not supported.
Exception
A valid reductio ad absurdum shows that an assumption entails a contradiction or unacceptable consequence. The inference must actually follow; merely exaggerating a proposal does not establish that result.
Tip
Ask which premise or rule connects the proposal to the predicted extreme. Test that connection before accepting the objection.
When to use it
In a debate about school uniforms, someone argues that if we require uniforms, then we will start controlling every aspect of student appearance.
In a discussion about gun control, someone says that any regulation will lead to complete confiscation.
In a personal argument, one partner says that if they do one chore, they will be expected to do all chores.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Chores Extreme
A request to help with the dishes is turned into a prediction of laundry, lawn work, car repairs, and a house addition. Even if the person imagines a 40-hour workweek of chores, the argument has not shown why agreeing to the original request creates that commitment.
Euthanasia Slippery Slope
The argument rejects euthanasia by claiming it will lead to killing anyone considered a bother. The objection needs evidence that the proposed policy entails that expansion; naming an alarming endpoint does not establish the connection.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you think of a time when someone used an extreme version of your argument to dismiss it? How could you respond?
How can you distinguish between a legitimate reductio ad absurdum and the appeal to extremes fallacy?
What common phrases or arguments in politics or advertising use the appeal to extremes?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies