Association fallacy
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An association fallacy is a type of logical fallacy which asserts that qualities of one are inherently qualities of another, merely by association. The two types are sometimes referred to as "guilt by association" and "honor by association." Association fallacies are a special case of red herring, and are often based in an appeal to emotion.
Guilt by association, also known as the "bad company fallacy" or the "company that you keep fallacy," is the logical fallacy of claiming that something must be false because of the people or organizations that support it. Some examples are:
- Some charities have been fraudulent. Therefore, charities must be frauds.
- The Nazis supported eugenics. Therefore eugenics must be evil.
- Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian. Vegetarianism must be evil.
- Osama bin Laden is opposed to the invasion of Iraq. Anyone opposed to the invasion of Iraq must be a terrorist.
- The Ku Klux Klan supports this initiative. The public must therefore vote against it.From the South Park episode Chef Goes Nanners
- Alice is a lawyer, and Alice thinks highly of Bob. Therefore, Bob must know the law.
- Aaron will make a good race car driver, because his friend is a good race car driver.
See also
References
External links
- [Propagandacritic.com] "Transfer technique"
- [Propagandacritic.com] "Testimonial"
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