Tu Quoque
From StoneHome
Definition
This argument in its simplest form is "yeah, you too." For the most part, it shows up in three forms:
- The argument you just made is false because you have historically stood for opposed things.
- The argument you just made is false because you have done opposed things
- Your rebuttal to my argument is false because the points you made which weaken my argument happen to also be true of you
Many people have trouble with the idea that this isn't strong reasoning. Many people genuinely believe that if someone has a history with a topic and now believes the converse that their statements somehow no longer carry weight, as if they are somehow tainted by experience. Much of the problem is that this fallacy pairs so naturally with hypocrisy that many people have difficulty distinguishing when hypocrasy isn't actually present; whereas hypocrisy often leaves judgement suspect, judgement based on experience, which this fallacy naturally challenges, is actually stronger than judgement based otherwise.
Examples
Welfare
- Reformed
- I used to oppose welfare, but then after a hurricane my small-town employer folded, and I needed those few months to get back on my feet. I also met people in the welfare office which changed my belief that recipients were all lazy cast-offs.
- Agitant
- Of course you support welfare: you've taken it. If you'd been forced to stand on your own, you'd have been able to. You just want to take some time off and get back on your feet the easy way on my tax dollar.
Smoking
- Parent
- Don't do drugs: they'll ruin your life.
- Child
- How can you tell me not to do drugs when you drink beer / coffee / smoke cigarettes / take sleep aids?
Medical Help
- Random Person
- Help, I've been $injury, what do I do?
- Blowhard
- Put it in ice, then rub it with oil and leave it in the sun covered by tealeaves for three days.
- Sensible Adult
- You're not a doctor. You shouldn't prescribe remedies: you may suggest something which makes it worse, or divert them from the real treatment they need.
- Blowhard
- You're not a doctor either, so you're in no position to judge my advice.
Related Fallacies
This is in some ways a special form of Argumentum ad Hominem, and is sometimes called Argumentum ad Hominem Tu Quoque. This is also related to Hasty Generalization.
