(December 10, 2012 at 3:32 pm)John V Wrote: The classic example of the appeal to hypocrisy is:
A: I have evidence that smoking is bad for your health.
B: But I have evidence that you smoke yourself.
In this case, B’s argument is fallacious. That A smokes has no bearing on his evidence, which should be considered on its own merits.
Is it fallacious? I would say it depends on environment. I think 'B's argument has a bearing in normal exchange on a forum. How many people on any forum use exact terminology? It is most common that posters are using statements to represent their arguments. So 'A' will make a statement as part of an anti smoking agenda. As such 'B's statement that 'A' smokes, shows simply although Smoking is bad for health, even 'A' has to admit there are other factors at work.
