Appeal to Popularity
Using the popularity of a premise or proposition as evidence for its truthfulness. This fallacy relies on the mistaken belief that if something is popular, it must be good, true, or valid.
THE IDEA
Appeal to Popularity
argumentum ad numeram (also known as: bandwagon argument, peer pressure)
Description
Using the popularity of a premise or proposition as evidence for its truthfulness. This is a fallacy which is very difficult to spot because our “common sense” tells us that if something is popular, it must be good/true/valid. But this is not so, especially in a society where clever marketing, social and political weight, and money can buy popularity.
Logical Form
- Premise: Most people believe X.
- Conclusion: Therefore, X is true.
Example #1
Mormonism may be growing rapidly, but that fact does not prove the truth claims made by Mormonism in any way.
Example #2
Indeed Christianity is popular, and has seen a strong and steady growth in the last 1700+ years. But this is not evidence that it is true – it is just evidence that it is popular. There are many factors that lead to the growth of Christianity including breeding and children being raised Christian, promises of Heaven and the threat of Hell, the strong emphasis on the importance of being evangelical, and more.
Exception
When the claim being made is about the popularity or some related attribute that is a direct result of its popularity.
Tip
Avoid this fallacy like you avoid a kiss from your great aunt with the big cold sore on her lip.
Variation
The bandwagon effect is a related cognitive bias that demonstrates people tend to believe and do things because many other people do as well. It is related to “herd behavior” and “groupthink”, although those terms describe different patterns of social influence.
When to use it
When evaluating marketing claims that highlight how many people use a product as proof of its effectiveness.
In political debates, when a candidate argues that their position is correct because a majority of polls show support.
In education, when students assume a common answer in a multiple-choice test is correct just because many classmates chose it.
In legal contexts, when a prosecutor emphasizes public opinion about a defendant to imply guilt.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Mormonism Growth
Mormonism may be growing rapidly, but that fact does not prove the truth claims made by Mormonism in any way.
Christianity Growth
Indeed Christianity is popular, and has seen a strong and steady growth in the last 1700+ years. But this is not evidence that it is true – it is just evidence that it is popular.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a time when you adopted a belief or opinion primarily because many others believed it? How could you test its truth independently?
Think of a popular product, idea, or social movement. What factors other than truth or quality might contribute to its popularity?
How might you resist the pressure to conform to popular opinion when evaluating evidence in your own field of work or study?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies