What it sounds like
- They defended the idea poorly, so the idea itself is wrong.
- "They used bad statistics to argue for the policy, so the policy must be wrong." The statistics are guilty; the policy still needs its own trial.
Logical fallacy
Fallacy Fallacy
Assuming that because someone made a bad argument, their conclusion must be false.
Classic tell: They defended the idea poorly, so the idea itself is wrong.
Back to the guideFurther explanation
What is happening underneath?
Assuming that because someone made a bad argument, their conclusion must be false.
A bad argument for a claim does not automatically make the claim false. Terrible reasoning can accidentally point at a true conclusion.
How to tell
- The conclusion is dismissed solely because one defense of it was flawed.
Why people use it
- It feels efficient to reject the whole position after spotting one bad argument.
How to combat it
- Say: "That argument fails. Is there better evidence for or against the conclusion?"
Manipulation watch
How this gets used on people.
- Debaters use this to discredit a movement or policy by highlighting its weakest advocate instead of its strongest evidence.