Assuming that because an argument contains a logical fallacy, its conclusion must be false. A conclusion can still be true even if the argument used to support it is flawed.
Example of Fallacy Fallacy
- Tom argues: "All doctors are smart, and my neighbor is smart, so my neighbor must be a doctor." Sarah replies: "Your argument is logically flawed, therefore your neighbor is definitely not a doctor."
Tom's argument does contain a fallacy (affirming the consequent), but Sarah commits the Fallacy Fallacy by concluding that Tom's neighbor is not a doctor just because Tom's reasoning was flawed. Tom's neighbor might actually be a doctor — the bad argument doesn't prove otherwise. - Alice says: "Everyone I know who exercises regularly is healthy, so exercise must be good for you." Bob responds: "That's just anecdotal evidence, so exercise must not be good for you."
Bob correctly identifies that Alice's argument relies on anecdotal evidence, but he commits the Fallacy Fallacy by concluding that exercise is not good for you simply because her argument was weak. The conclusion can still be true despite the poor reasoning.
