Appeal to Ridicule
Appeal to Ridicule is an informal fallacy which claims an argument to be ridiculous or absurd. The fallacy uses this claim in an attempt to invalidate the argument since it is not worth entertaining.
Appeal to ridicule can be used in conjunction with other fallacies such as appeal to emotion. Sarcasm can also be used as a means of appeal to ridicule.
Example of Appeal to Ridicule
- Everyone should wear seatbelts. We should also wear bibs and sleep in a bassinet.
- Why should I support the 2nd Amendment, do I look like toothless hick?
Alternative Name: Appeal to Mockery, Ab Absurdo
Books About Logical Fallacies
A few books to help you get a real handle on logical fallacies.
Appeal to RidiculeExtended Explanation
The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy is a logical fallacy in which an argument is dismissed or dismissed as invalid based solely on the fact that the argument has been made to appear foolish, silly, or otherwise ridiculous. This type of fallacy is often used as an attempt to discredit the opposition or to discredit a particular argument without actually addressing the substance of the argument itself. The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy is often used in political debates or discussions where one party is attempting to discredit the other without engaging in a meaningful debate or discussion.
The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy is most often used to discredit an argument by making it appear foolish or ridiculous. This can be done through sarcasm, exaggeration, or by deliberately misinterpreting the argument. For example, if someone were to make an argument against the use of fossil fuels, one might respond by saying that the argument is ridiculous because it would mean giving up all of the modern conveniences we enjoy. This response does not actually address the substance of the argument and is instead attempting to discredit it by making it appear foolish or ridiculous.
The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy is also commonly used in political debates or discussions. This type of fallacy is often used as a way to discredit the opposition without engaging in a meaningful debate or discussion. For example, if someone were to make an argument in favor of stricter gun control laws, one might respond by saying that the argument is foolish because it would lead to a complete ban on all guns. Again, this response does not address the substance of the argument and is instead attempting to discredit it by making it appear foolish or ridiculous.
The Appeal to Ridicule Fallacy is an ineffective way to discredit an argument because it does not actually address the substance of the argument. Instead, it simply attempts to discredit the argument by making it appear foolish or ridiculous. This type of fallacy should be avoided in debates and discussions and one should instead focus on engaging in a meaningful debate or discussion by actually addressing the substance of the argument.