Question

...
Agnus Bliss

Is there a “me too” fallacy?

Say I have been arguing with someone regarding personal experiences. Every time I bring up an issue I would like to address, the other party takes my phrases, and turns them around to invalidate my points.

Example:
Me: It hurts me when you do this...
Them: Well it hurts me when you do this..

Nothing is left settled. I listen and try to understand but this is how our conversations go whether about feelings, actions, problems in the world. It’s back and forth and it’s exhausting. Is this similar to a Tu Quoque? (I’m not sure of spelling on that one)

asked on Monday, Nov 19, 2018 12:13:03 PM by Agnus Bliss

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."

Listen to the Dr. Bo Show!

Hello! I am social psychologist and author, Bo Bennett. In this podcast, I take a critical thinking-, reason-, and science-based approach to issues that matter. As of January 2020, this podcast is a collection of topics related to all of my books. Subscribe today and enjoy!

Visit Podcast Page

Answers

...
mchasewalker
0
Hey Agnus,

Check out Dr. Bo's variation on the argumentum ad hominem tu quoque (You too) argument:
(also known as: “you too” fallacy, hypocrisy, personal inconsistency)

Description: Claiming the argument is flawed by pointing out that the one making the argument is not acting consistently with the claims of the argument.

Logical Form:

Person 1 is claiming that Y is true, but person 1 is acting as if Y is not true.
Therefore, Y must not be true.
Example #1:

Helga: You should not be eating that... it has been scientifically proven that eating fat burgers are no good for your health.
Hugh: You eat fat burgers all the time so that can’t be true.
Explanation: It doesn’t matter (to the truth claim of the argument at least) if Helga follows her own advice or not. While it might appear that the reason she does not follow her own advice is that she doesn’t believe it’s true, it could also be that those fat burgers are just too damn irresistible.

Example #2:

Jimmy Swaggart argued strongly against sexual immorality, yet he has had several affairs with prostitutes; therefore, sexual immorality is acceptable.
Explanation: The fact Jimmy Swaggart likes to play a round of bedroom golf with some local entrepreneurial ladies, is not evidence for sexual immorality in general, only that he is sexually immoral.

Exception: If Jimbo insisted that his actions were in line with sexual morality, then it would be a very germane part of the argument.

Tip: Again, admit when your lack of self-control or willpower has nothing to do with the truth claim of the proposition. The following is what I remember my dad telling me about smoking (he smoked about four packs a day since he was 14).

Bo, never be a stupid a--hole like me and start smoking. It is a disgusting habit that I know will eventually kill me. If you never start, you will never miss it.
My dad died at age 69 -- of lung cancer. I never touched a cigarette in my life and never plan to touch one.
answered on Monday, Nov 19, 2018 12:17:26 PM by mchasewalker

Comments

...
Bo Bennett, PhD
0
This can also be avoiding the issue (see www.logicallyfallacious.c. . . The issue brought up is not addressed, rather a new issue is raised. A good response might go like this.

Me: It hurts me when you do this...
Them: Well it hurts me when you do this..
Me: Let's address that, but first, lets address my issue then we will get to yours. Sound fair?
answered on Monday, Nov 19, 2018 12:21:46 PM by Bo Bennett, PhD

Comments