Notable Effort
The notable effort fallacy treats hard work on an argument as sufficient reason to accept its conclusion. Effort can help produce evidence, but the evidence and reasoning still need to be assessed.
THE IDEA
Description
(also known as: “E” is for effort)
Treating effort as sufficient reason to accept a conclusion, without showing that the work established it.
Logical Form
Effort is made into something. Therefore, what the effort was made into is true.
Example #1
The defendant made a notable effort in trying to prove his innocence, therefore he is innocent.
Explanation: Preparing a defense may uncover relevant evidence, but the amount of effort alone does not establish innocence. Evaluate the evidence and reasoning rather than treating hard work as proof.
Example #2
William made a notable effort to prove his claim, therefore his claim is true.
Explanation: William’s effort does not by itself show that his claim was proved.
Exception
Evidence produced by the work can support a claim. That support comes from the evidence, not the amount of effort alone.
Tip
The “everyone’s a winner” debate concerns how effort is rewarded. Acknowledging hard work is compatible with judging whether a particular answer or argument is correct.
When to use it
In a classroom, a student might argue that their answer is correct because they worked hard on the homework, even if the answer is wrong.
In a court, a defense attorney might claim that the defendant's long hours preparing for trial prove his innocence, but the effort is unrelated to the facts.
In product reviews, a reviewer might claim a product is good because the company spent years developing it, without evidence of actual quality.
In scientific debate, a researcher might argue that their theory is correct because they dedicated decades to it, ignoring contradictory evidence.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Example #1
The defendant made a notable effort in trying to prove his innocence, therefore he is innocent.
Explanation: The effort may produce evidence worth examining, but it is not itself proof of innocence.
Example #2
William made a notable effort to prove his claim, therefore his claim is true.
Explanation: William’s effort does not by itself show that his claim was proved.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time when you accepted someone's argument because they put in a lot of effort. Was the effort actually relevant to the truth?
How can we distinguish between effort that leads to truth and effort that is irrelevant?
How can you acknowledge someone’s effort while assessing their conclusion on the evidence?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies