|
|
What is the main difference between the "Appeal to Popularity" and the "Appeal to Common Belief?"I understand both fallacies, but they seem very similar and I'm wondering what the biggest difference is.
|
| asked on Tuesday, Mar 21, 2017 08:59:24 PM by The Dudeman | |
Top Categories Suggested by Community |
|
Comments |
|
|
| |
Want to get notified of all questions as they are asked? Update your mail preferences and turn on "Instant Notification."
Dr. Bo is creating online courses in the area of critical thinking, reason, science, psychology, philosophy, and well-being. These courses are self-paced and presented in small, easy-to-digest nuggets of information. Use the code FALLACYFRIENDS to get 25% off any or all of Dr. Bo's courses.
|
|
Not much of a difference when both refer to a belief. But the appeal to popularity is more generic that can be applied to ideas, products, and other non-beliefs. For example,
The new Tickle-Me-Buzz-Lightyear toy cannot stay on the shelves, therefore, it is a great toy! This more accurately is about us reasoning that because a toy sell well (is popular), that it must be good, therefore appeal to popularity is a better fit. However, if we said Parents everywhere believe that the Tickle-Me-Buzz-Lightyear toy is the best toy ever, therefore, it is a great toy! This is would be common belief. Not much of a difference, and it really does not matter that much. Informal fallacy names are just a way to help us identify the problematic reasoning. You can call it "fallacy of stupidity" and it wouldn't really matter, as long as you realized that just because something is popular or common, does not make it good/right/true. |
| answered on Wednesday, Mar 22, 2017 09:01:44 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD |
Comments |
|
| |