Fallacies: Appeals to Tradition & Begging the Question

Fallacies:Appeals to Tradition & Begging the Question IlaSruti AP Lang-8am March 29,2009

Fallacy: Appeals to Tradition • In this argument the one arguing states that something is true or better because it is old and/or traditional . • In other words, how true a statement is, is based on the longevity of the belief (or how long it has been around) • This idea is FALSE

Fallacy: Appeals to Tradition (cont.) • “Some traditions are worth keeping. Others must change because time, technology, and knowledge change.” (Public Speaking Today) • That is why you should not agree or disagree with a statement based on whether the idea has been practiced for a long time

Logic & Reasoning behind the Appeal to Tradition • 1. X is old or traditional • 2. Therefore X is correct and/or better • Again, the emphasis must be placed on how wrong this idea is.

Why do people have this kind of reasoning? • The primary reason is because people feel more comfortable with ideas that have been around longer. They feel that it is the safer option. • Also, agreeing that the older idea is better than a newer idea is much easier than going through the process of testing out the new idea. In short, laziness

Common phrases: • “It has always been done this way” • It has “passed the test of time” • “traditional” • “old” • “Folklore”

Examples: • “This form of government is the best because we have had it for over 200 years and no one has talked about changing it, so it must be good” • We can see that monarchies benefited greatly from this concept • Romeo and Juliet- The Montagues and Capulets fought only because past generations fought, not because they themselves had any reasons for a feud.

Examples (cont.) • Marriage is one of humanity’s oldest institutions. Therefore, we shouldn’t tamper with it or do anything that might harm it. • Because people have been getting married since the beginning of time, it must be good for even today and/or is the right thing to do • “People have believed in the Bible for thousands of years. Therefore, the Bible must be true.” • Notice that this argument is used for many religions

Appeals to Tradition • Make sure you realize that this does not apply to ideas or concepts that truly are dependent on time. • For example, the quality of wine or cheese are based on age (and those that are older are better)

Begging the Question • This idea involves circular reasoning (because the conclusion appears at both the beginning and end of the argument) • The warrant and the claim are the same thing • In other words, in the question or statement you assume that what you are arguing is true, is already true.

The Logic & Reasoning • 1. A is true because B is true, and B is true because A is true • Everything is dependent on one another, but effective arguments are independent.

Examples • If you are arguing that the equal right amendment is the right thing to do then you are assuming that the amendment is good in itself. • What needs to be done is you need to explain to the audience whythe amendment is good before saying it is the right thing to do

Examples (cont.) Politics and Politicians use this form of argument a lot- sometimes on purpose and sometimes even without their knowledge because their own opinions cloud their ability to effectively argue claims. • Murder is morally wrong. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong. • Here the politician is assuming that abortion is considered murder, but that is what politicians and people are constantly debating. That is why the politician needs to explain to the audience why abortion should be considered murder before he states that it is morally wrong.

Examples (cont.) Politicians and the War on Terror: • “What I do know is that if a dirty bomb goes off on Wall Street and the winds are blowing this way, then I and much of this part of Brooklyn are possibly toast. Is that worth possible violations of the rights of some psycho-violent street thug? To me it is.” • When government officials were debating on whether Abdullah al Muhajir was a threat to America, many of the officials made arguments based on the fact that he was a threat, which was exactly what the debate was about, so assumptions should not have been made.

Quiz Question #1 • Why do people believe that traditional ideas are always right? a. People feel more comfortable with things and ideas they have already seen b. People are too lazy to try new ideas c. Because traditional ideas are always right d. A and B

Quiz Answer #1 • Why do people believe that traditional ideas are always right? a. People feel more comfortable with things and ideas they have already seen b. People are too lazy to try new ideas c. Because traditional ideas are always right d. A and B

Quiz Question #2 2. Begging the Question makes ______ claims • Independent • Dependent • Circular • B and C

Quiz Answer #2 2. Begging the Question makes ______ claims • Independent • Dependent • Circular • B and C

Quiz Question #3 3. The institution of marriage has “stood the test of time” is an example of: a. Appeal to Tradition b. Begging the Question c. Appeal to Flattery d. None of the above

Quiz Answer #3 3. The idea that the institution of marriage has “stood the test of time” is an example of: a. Appeal to Tradition b. Begging the Question c. Appeal to Flattery d. None of the above

Fallacies: Appeals to Tradition & Begging the Question