Fallacious Use
In many cases tu quoque arguments are used in a logically fallacious way, to draw a conclusion which is not supported by the premises of the argument.
This form of the argument, familiar from everyday disagreements, is as follows:
- A makes criticism P.
- A is also guilty of P.
- Therefore, P is dismissed.
Examples:
- "He cannot accuse me of libel because he was just successfully sued for libel."
- Person 1: It should be illegal to make clothing out of animals.
- Person 2: But, you are wearing a leather jacket.
- Person 1: People shouldn't drink. It's a very damaging habit.
- Person 2: But you're drunk.
Read more about this topic: Tu Quoque
Famous quotes containing the word fallacious:
“In it he proves that all things are true and states how the truths of all contradictions may be reconciled physically, such as for example that white is black and black is white; that one can be and not be at the same time; that there can be hills without valleys; that nothingness is something and that everything, which is, is not. But take note that he proves all these unheard-of paradoxes without any fallacious or sophistical reasoning.”
—Savinien Cyrano De Bergerac (1619–1655)
“Oh, don’t tell me of facts—I never believe facts: you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)