Argumentum Ad Populum - Examples

Examples

This fallacy is sometimes committed while trying to convince a person that a widely popular thought is true.

  • Nine out of ten of my constituents oppose the bill, therefore it is a bad idea.
  • Nine out of ten of my fellow congressmen favor the bill, therefore it is a good idea.


Other examples:

  • Fifty million Elvis fans can't be wrong.
  • Everyone's doing it.
  • In a court of law, the jury vote by majority; therefore they will always make the correct decision.
  • Google gives more hits when this spelling is applied, therefore this has to be the correct spelling.

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