Inconsistent comparison:
Conceptual/Formal Fallacy
| Definition | Example |
| When complex nodes of comparison are used that make it falsely appear as if a complete comparison has been made. | My son Arthur runs faster than Thomas, gets higher grades than George, and plays piano better than William. He’s definitely the most talented boy. |
| Notes | |
| This is a common fallacy employed by advertizers who compare their product against the least attractive competing product for each particular feature. | |
Case Study One
If you claim your English skills are better than those of Tom and Andrew since Tom can’t spell and and Andrew has a low vocabulary, you are committing the inconsistent comparison fallacy since you are simply cherry-picking those skills that favor you in a complex matrix of skills, and there may be other possible relevant measures of English for which you may be weaker than both Tom and Andrew.
Case Study Two
An interesting related concept is the decision making paradox.
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.
