Logical Fallacies, Part 13: Misplaced Authority

The fallacy of misplaced authority arises whenever attributing authority to a source that does not merit the authorty. This fallacy is a particular problem in celebrity cultures. We want to hear entertainers’ opinions on politics, athletes opinions on soft drinks, and artists’ opinions on the environment. Here is an obvious example:

The AFL-CIO, AFT, and Sean Penn have endorsed Senator John Kerry’s candidacy for President of the United States.

Sean Penn, an award-winning actor, does not have the same credibility or clout as do the AFL-CIO (a 9 million member union) or the AFT (a 1.3 million member union).


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Logical Fallacies, Part 12: False Analogy

In the false analogy, a writer incorrectly shows that two entities having common features have other common features which they do not. Example:

Since Citigroup and Exxon Mobil are both Fortune 50 corporations, the United States Environmental Protection Agency should dedicate the same amount of resources to monitoring each company’s environmental compliance.

Indeed, both companies are huge and must share a significant commitment to protecting the environment; however, the nature of Exxon Mobil’s business should require greater oversight.


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Logical Fallacies, Part 11: Tu Quoque

The tu quoque fallacy (Latin for “you too”) is a close relative of the ad hominem attack. (See the July 15, 2006 entry on this blog.) Tu quoque appears when deflecting attention from a criticism by asserting that the same criticism applies to the critic.

Deposed Iraqi leader Sadaam Hussein has tried the tu quoque argument by insisting that he should not be on trial for war crimes since the United States is guilty of war crimes. The problem with Hussein’s argument is that anyone else’s wrong does not make his crimes any less wrong.

Here’s a business example:

The Chief Financial Officer has said that the Research and Development group is over budget on Project X, but he is not bearing down as much on Accounting for overspending.

The writer’s complaint does nothing to justify Research and Development being over budget.


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Logical Fallacies, Part 10: Hasty Generalization

The hasty generalization occurs when stating a generalization with insufficient evidence. Example:

The company lost $11 million in the first half 2006; therefore, it will end the year just as poorly.

Perhaps the $11 million loss is an improvement over previous periods. Maybe the loss is a one-time or cyclical situation. It could be that the loss was from an investment which will soon become profitable. The evidence is just not there to make this claim.


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Logical Fallacies, Part 9: Guilt by Association

The guilt by association rhetorical flaw arises when the writer unreasonably associates an opponent or a proposition with a guilty party. It is related to the red herring (see the previous entry, August 26, 2006). Example:

How can we elect a man who served under an impeached president?

The thinking is flawed because of its assumption that anyone associated with the impeached president must be just like the impeached president.

Conversely, Check your endorsements as well. Equally misleading could be honor by association, in which the writer unreasonably associates an ally or a proposition with an esteemed party. Example:

The fact that the employee leave policy is supported by Governor Richford is sufficient reason to establish it.

Reasonable people expect more evidence than a governor’s endorsement to support a claim.


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