Everyone I Know Believes It, So It Must be True

"Everyone I Know Believes It, So It Must be True"

During the Middle Ages, many people believed that the Earth was flat. The majority of ordinary, everyday people believed this. But did the belief of so many, that the world was flat, make the flatness of the earth true? No.

Back in Ancient Greece, the majority of Greeks believed that Zeus existed. Did this belief in Zeus, make Zeus real and true?

The above style of argument is commonly called the Argumentum ad populum. Many people use this style of crooked reasoning in the belief that: "If so many believe it, it must be so."

This argument can take many forms and advertisers and politicians are often masters of such techniques. For example:

"Bliss toothpaste is the best, because Bliss toothpaste is used by most Americans".

"This book all about magical thinking can bring you great riches. The book is number one on the best seller-list and everyone is reading it. So, therefore, magical thinking must be true."

"Gay marriage is immoral. 75% of Australians believe this".

The fact that these things may be believed by many people, does not make them true.

Another common error in reasoning, which is often used, is the Ad hominem fallacy. Ad hominem means "against the person". So, instead of providing a rational critique of an argument, there will be an attack the person who made the argument. For example:

"Her views about gun control are not worth considering because she didn't go to university and she is also ugly".

"I don't care what those café latte, bleeding heart Liberals, have to say about health care".

This argument style concentrates on personal attacks and name calling, instead of examining the argument.



Books To Read


Logically Fallacious, The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies, by Bo Bennett, PhD.