Arguing from Fallacy
The fallacy of assuming that because an argument contains a logical fallacy, its conclusion is necessarily false. Even if a claim is poorly argued, the claim itself may still be true.
THE IDEA
Arguing from Fallacy
Also known as the fallacy fallacy, this logical error occurs when someone rejects a conclusion solely because the argument presented for it is fallacious.
Core Idea
The truth of a conclusion is independent of the quality of any particular argument that supports it. Just because a reason given is invalid or a fallacy is committed, it does not logically follow that the conclusion is false. To assume otherwise is itself a fallacy.
Example
Recognizing that Emma had committed a fallacy in arguing that we should eat healthy food because a nutritionist said it was popular, Sophia said we should, therefore, eat bacon double cheeseburgers every day, assuming that if an argument for some conclusion is fallacious, then the conclusion is false.
In this case, Emma's argument may contain an appeal to popularity fallacy, but the conclusion—that we should eat healthy food—could still be true and supported by better evidence. Sophia's rejection of the conclusion based solely on the poor argument is an example of arguing from fallacy.
When to use it
In a courtroom, a lawyer points out a logical flaw in the opposing counsel's reasoning and then claims that because their argument was fallacious, the defendant must be innocent.
During a debate, one participant catches a hasty generalization in the other's argument and uses it to dismiss the entire position, ignoring the possibility that the central claim might still have merit.
In a health-policy discussion, identifying a faulty argument for a measure without assuming that the flaw proves the measure is harmful.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Sophia's Rejection of Healthy Eating
Emma argues for healthy eating on the ground that a nutritionist says it is popular. Sophia spots the appeal to popularity and concludes that they should eat bacon double cheeseburgers every day. A flaw in Emma’s reason does not establish Sophia’s contrary conclusion.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a situation where you dismissed someone’s conclusion because their reasoning was flawed, even though the conclusion might have been correct?
Why is it important to evaluate a claim independently of the argument presented for it?
How could the fallacy fallacy distort scientific or political discourse?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Wisdom Theory 100 Mental Models (2020) (Wisdom Theory)