Fallacy
Argumentum ad Populum
Also known as: Appeal to the People
- Category
- Fallacy
- Main group
- Informal Fallacy
- Subgroup
- Irrelevant Appeal
- Difficulty
- easy (1/3)
- Argumentation order
- 1. Argument
Description
Something is considered true because it corresponds to the opinion of the majority.
Not to be confused with academic consensus: In science, findings do not prevail by voting, but on the basis of evidence.
Example
"Eat shit! Millions of flies can't be wrong."
- Limitations
Not to be confused with academic consensus: In science, findings do not prevail by voting, but on the basis of evidence.
A majority opinion can also be based on shared empirical values or point to social grievances.
- Researched by
Arthur Schopenhauer
- See also
Groupthink
- Opposite
Galileo's Gambit