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Thread: Genetic Fallacy

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    Default Genetic Fallacy

    Since some people here still don't seem to understand the fallacy, I thought I'll do a refresher course once again.



    Genetic Fallacy

    (also known as: fallacy of origins, fallacy of virtue)
    Description: Basing the truth claim of an argument on the origin of its claims or premises.
    Logical Form:
    The origin of the claim is presented.
    Therefore, the claim is true/false.
    Example #1:
    Lisa was brainwashed as a child into thinking that people are generally good. Therefore, people are not generally good.
    Explanation: That fact that Lisa may have been brainwashed as a child, is irrelevant to the claim that people are generally good.
    Example #2:
    He was born to Catholic parents and raised as a Catholic until his confirmation in 8th grade. Therefore, he is bound to want to defend some Catholic traditions and, therefore, cannot be taken seriously.
    Explanation: I am referring to myself here. While my upbringing was Catholic, and I have long since considered myself a Catholic, that is irrelevant to any defenses I make of Catholicism -- like the fact that many local churches do focus on helping the community through charity work. If I make an argument defending anything Catholic, the argument should be evaluated on the argument itself, not on the history of the one making the argument or how I came to hold the claims as true or false.
    Exception: At times, the origin of the claim is relevant to the truth of the claim.
    I believe in closet monsters because my big sister told me unless I do whatever she tells me, the closet monsters will eat me.

    Tip: Remember that considering the source is often a useful heuristic in quickly assessing if the claim is probably true or not, but dismissing the claim or accepting it as true based on the source is fallacious.

    https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/...enetic-Fallacy

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    Default

    Also known as common sense, if it looks like a duck, talks like a duck, and walks like a duck, it ain’t an elephant regardless of who tells you it is

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