Argumentum ad populum
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This logical fallacy is often used by children as an excuse for wanting something (''everybody's got one''), or doing something (''everybody's doing it''). Despite the juvenile nature of the argument, it is often used by people who should know better, particularly by those who are trying to force other people to their way of thinking. A case in point is the push in the [[United States|U.S.]] to get [[creationism]] taught in public [[school]] [[science]] classes. The argument runs along the lines of suggesting that because a majority of people in the U.S. believe in creationism, it should therefore be taught as science. Sadly, the argument is rarely defeated by pointing out its fallaciousness, but by pointing out that the teaching of creationism in public school classes is [[Bill of Rights|unconstitutional]] by being at odds with the [[First Amendment]]. | This logical fallacy is often used by children as an excuse for wanting something (''everybody's got one''), or doing something (''everybody's doing it''). Despite the juvenile nature of the argument, it is often used by people who should know better, particularly by those who are trying to force other people to their way of thinking. A case in point is the push in the [[United States|U.S.]] to get [[creationism]] taught in public [[school]] [[science]] classes. The argument runs along the lines of suggesting that because a majority of people in the U.S. believe in creationism, it should therefore be taught as science. Sadly, the argument is rarely defeated by pointing out its fallaciousness, but by pointing out that the teaching of creationism in public school classes is [[Bill of Rights|unconstitutional]] by being at odds with the [[First Amendment]]. | ||
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| + | == Ethymology == | ||
| + | ''Populus,-i'', II Latin declination, accusative ''populum'', means ''poplar''. Latinologists haven't reached a consensus on the origin of the expression. A popular (pun intended) explanation is that a Andius Schlaflius, orator, not finding enough listeners to his ramblings, decided to address a forest of poplars instead, which didn't run away, contradict him or show the fallacies in his reasoning. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Revision as of 14:55, 15 August 2008
Argumentum ad populum (literally, an argument to the people) is the logical fallacy that just because something is popular, it is therefore true. Undoubtedly many popular notions are true, but their truth is not a function of their popularity.
This logical fallacy is often used by children as an excuse for wanting something (everybody's got one), or doing something (everybody's doing it). Despite the juvenile nature of the argument, it is often used by people who should know better, particularly by those who are trying to force other people to their way of thinking. A case in point is the push in the U.S. to get creationism taught in public school science classes. The argument runs along the lines of suggesting that because a majority of people in the U.S. believe in creationism, it should therefore be taught as science. Sadly, the argument is rarely defeated by pointing out its fallaciousness, but by pointing out that the teaching of creationism in public school classes is unconstitutional by being at odds with the First Amendment.
Ethymology
Populus,-i, II Latin declination, accusative populum, means poplar. Latinologists haven't reached a consensus on the origin of the expression. A popular (pun intended) explanation is that a Andius Schlaflius, orator, not finding enough listeners to his ramblings, decided to address a forest of poplars instead, which didn't run away, contradict him or show the fallacies in his reasoning.
See Also
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