Appeal to the Moon
The Appeal to the Moon fallacy occurs when someone argues that because a seemingly impossible task (like putting a man on the moon) was achieved, other difficult tasks are equally achievable, ignoring differences in feasibility, resources, and probability.
THE IDEA
Appeal to the Moon
(also known as: bad analogy [form of])
Description: Using the argument, “If we can put a man on the moon, we could...” as evidence for the argument.
Logical Form:
- If we can do X, then we can do Y.
- We did X.
- Therefore, we can do Y.
This conditional form is valid. The weakness lies in asserting the first premise without showing why the ability to do X establishes the ability to do Y.
Example #1: "If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we cure the common cold?"
Explanation: This is a form of a weak analogy. Putting a man on the moon is seen to be a virtually impossible task, but since we did it, the (faulty) reasoning is we can then do any virtually impossible task. Remember that mere possibility is not the same as probability. Such arguments may suggest feasibility or likelihood, but an unrelated achievement supplies neither without a relevant connection.
Example #2: "NASA can put a man on the moon, so why can't you get out of bed in the morning?"
Explanation: This is an even worse analogy, taking the “we” out that the analogy had in common and replacing it with “NASA” and “you”. Now, it really makes no sense in the least bit, but I bet that someone, somewhere, will be convinced by it.
Exception: A previous lunar mission is relevant evidence about the feasibility of another. Resources, equipment, personnel, and conditions still matter; repeating a feat is not guaranteed.
Tip: Believe in the possible – just don’t count on it unless it is probable.
When to use it
Debating policy proposals where past successes are used to justify unrelated ambitious goals.
Evaluating claims in business pitches that compare a new venture to past breakthroughs.
Analyzing personal productivity arguments that suggest because someone else achieved something, you should too.
Identifying flawed reasoning in public speeches or media commentary about technological or social progress.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Cure the common cold
If we can put a man on the moon, why can’t we cure the common cold? This is a weak analogy: achieving a space mission does not imply the same resources, knowledge, or feasibility apply to medical research.
Getting out of bed
NASA can put a man on the moon, so why can't you get out of bed in the morning? This is an even weaker analogy, comparing an individual's simple action to a massive organizational achievement without common elements.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a time when someone argued that because a great achievement was possible, a different difficult task should be easy? How did that reasoning fail?
What factors besides mere possibility are needed to determine whether a task is probable?
How might you politely point out the weakness in an 'appeal to the moon' argument during a discussion?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies