APPEAL TO THE MIND Flashcards
Using evidence from an unnamed ‘expert’ or ‘study; or generalized group (like ‘scientists’) to claim something is true. “They say that it takes 7 years to digest chewing gum.’
Appeal to Anonymous Authority
Claiming something is true because an unqualified or untrustworthy ‘expert’ says it is. “Over 400 prominent scientists and engineers dispute global warming.’
Appeal to Authority
Claiming something is true because it’s commonly practiced. “This bank has some problems with corruption. But there’s nothing going on here that doesn’t go in all other banks.’
Appeal to Common Practice
A claim is true simply because it has not been proven false (or false because it has not been proven true). “Nobody has proven to me there is a God. So there is no God.”
Appeal to Ignorance
Because a claim sounds unbelievable, it must not be true. “The eye is an incredibly complex biomechanical machine with thousands of interlocking parts. How could that exist without an intelligent designer?”
Appeal to Incredulity
Supposing that, if someone is rich or something is expensive, then it affects the truth of the claim. “If it costs more, it must be better.”
Appeal to Money
Supposing something is better because it is new or newer. “Awesome! The latest version of this operating system is going to make my computer faster and better…”
Appeal to Novelty
Claiming something is true because the majority of people believe it. “Milk is good for your bones.”
Appeal to Popular Belief
Assuming because something could happen, it will inevitably happen. “There are billions of galaxies with billions of stars in the universe. So there must be another planets with intelligent life on it.
Appeal to Probability
Claiming something is true because it’s (apparently) always been that way. “Marriage is the union between a man and woman. Therefore gay marriage is wrong.”
Appeal to Tradition
