Appeal to age
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Cogito ergo sum Logic and rhetoric |
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Not to be confused with Appeal to ancient wisdom -- when one appeals to "knowledge" of ancient cultures instead of demonstrable facts.
An appeal to age is a fallacy in which someone's age is cited as evidence for their position being true/false. It is a subset of the genetic fallacy, and if someone's age is used against their position, it is an argumentum ad hominem (which is also a subset of a genetic fallacy).
Usually it is used to support the arguments of people who are older, and discredit arguments of younger people.
Form[edit]
- P1: X holds position Y.
- P2: X is old/young.
P3: If someone is old/young, their position is false.
C: Y is false.
Explanation[edit]
Although someone who is older is generally wiser and more knowledgeable, old/young people can be wrong/right. Someone who is old can still believe in bullshit, and someone who is young can still make a sound argument.
Examples[edit]
- "I've studied theology for many years, and have concluded that there is a God."
- "You're only 13, so you can't say that creationism is false."
- "You think parents shouldn't beat their kids? Back in my day, we got the belt! You Millennials/Gen Z kids are so entitled!"
- "You're just a kid."