Basically, if X is popular it must be good or correct (or if X is unpopular, it's wrong).
"The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible." Bertrand RussellThis is Part 15 in a series about Logical Fallacies. Please comment or email if there’s a particular fallacy you want me to tackle, or if you have success with refuting an argument using a good technique you can share.
This fallacy is used to try to convince someone that a popular idea is true.
- There are over 2.2 billion Christians in the world, so Christianity is the true religion.
- All of my friends are doing it.
- That film made more money than any other so it must be the best ever made.
It's also used to try to convince someone that an unpopular idea is false.
- That candidate is unpopular so his ideas are wrong.
- No one went to see that movie so it must be awful.
One of the most common usages is in advertising.
- Everyone loves Coke so you should buy Coke too.
- Everyone watches this show so you have to as well.
Examples
