"Of course XYZ political party is going to sweep the polls in the coming…
2023
"Of course XYZ political party is going to sweep the polls in the coming elections. Everybody is saying so".
Which informal fallacy is committed in the above statement?
Answer: D. Appeal to Majority — ConceptAn informal fallacy is an error in reasoning caused by how evidence is used rather than by the formal structure alone. An appeal to majority…
- A.
Appeal to Emotion
- B.
Begging the Question
- C.
Slippery slope
- D.
Appeal to Majority
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
An informal fallacy is an error in reasoning caused by how evidence is used rather than by the formal structure alone.
An appeal to majority (argumentum ad populum) treats popularity or widespread belief as evidence that a claim is true.
Application
The forecast about the political party is supported only by the statement that everybody is saying it. Popular endorsement is being used in place of evidence about the election.
Contrast
Appeal to emotion substitutes feelings such as fear, pity, or anger for relevant evidence; no such emotional pressure is used here.
Begging the question assumes the disputed conclusion within a premise; the statement does not repeat its forecast as a premise.
A slippery-slope argument predicts an unsupported chain of escalating consequences; no such chain appears here.
Result
Therefore, the statement commits the appeal to majority fallacy.