| | Tu quoque, the appeal to hypocrisy, ( you did that as well ) is a logical fallacy that attempts to attack an opponent's position, by saying that their opponent failed to act consistently in the past. If they really held the belief they are arguing for, they would have done things differently in the past. This dismisses someone's point of view based on criticism of the person's inconsistency, and not the position presented. Its a personal attack that avoids the subject, a diversion from the topic. This attack could be used against a veteran for taking a position against murder or even war, by saying that the veteran had killed many people when he was at war.
It is often used against a parent who is a recovering drug addict or alcoholic, for telling their child not to do drugs or get drunk. "But you did it"
And in politics it is used every time you point out that someone they support is lying, being a jerk ,or acting incompetently.
Even if what they say is true, and most of the time its not a good comparison. That fact does not justify their hero lying does it?
Do you think that if the other guy does something wrong, it gives you the right to do the same thing?
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| | Posted 10/15/2012 7:09 AM - 1035 Views - 48 eProps - 55 comments
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