Genetic fallacy:
Linguistic/Conceptual Fallacy
| Definition | Example |
| where a conclusion is suggested based solely on something or someone’s origin rather than its current meaning or context. | Australia will never become a great nation considering it arose from penal colonies of mere criminals. |
| Notes | |
| The value of ideas and strength of arguments can be assessed wholly independently of the conditions of their engendering. | |
Case Study One
Some suggest that the cruel human experiments Nazi conducted cannot be scientifically reliable. The conditions surrounding the the data collection does not invalidate the reliability of that data.
Case Study Two
Claiming that Christmas trees are somehow evil since they originated in pagan tradition would be a genetic fallacy.
Case Study Three
Refusing to celebrate Halloween since it had its origin in superstition and myth would be a genetic fallacy.
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.
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