Genetic fallacy

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The genetic fallacy is a logical fallacy based on the irrelevant appraisal of something based on its origin.

It occurs when one attempts to reduce the significance of an idea, person, practice, or institution merely to an account of its origin (genesis) or earlier form. This overlooks any difference to be found in the present situation, typically transferring the positive or negative esteem from the earlier context.

It also fails to assess ideas on their merits. The first criterion of a good argument is that the premises must have bearing on the truth or falsity of the claim in question. ^[1] Since the origin of a thing has no necessary relevance to its merit, an argument that uses such a premise for accepting or rejecting a claim about the thing in question should be regarded as flawed.

In terms of categorization, the genetic fallacy is a fallacy of irrelevance.

According to the Oxford Companion to Philosophy, the term originates in Morris Cohen and Ernest Nagel's book Logic and Scientific Method.

[edit] Examples

• "You're not going to wear a wedding ring, are you? Don't you know that the wedding ring originally symbolized ankle chains worn by women to prevent them from running away from their husbands? I would not have thought you would be a party to such a sexist practice."

These alleged sexist origins do not make anyone who wears a wedding ring sexist.

• Isaac Newton was led to his theory of gravity by his interest in the occult, specifically the concept of "action at a distance," therefore anyone who believes in gravity is a follower of the occult.

The theory of gravity is nonetheless not an occult doctrine and it has since been scientifically tested.

• "An uneducated homeless man told me that the Earth was the third planet from the sun. Since a smelly homeless man told me this, it is probably not true."

Whereas lack of credibility might make one skeptical, the falsity of an idea does not follow from a consideration of who said it.

• Karate originates from Chinese Kung Fu, therefore Kung Fu is better than Karate.

Neither the fact that Kung Fu was the original nor that Karate is a derivation makes either one superior.

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Nizkor: Genetic fallacy
• Fallacies of relevance: Genetic fallacy from atheism web
• Forms of the genetic fallacy
• Fallacy files: Genetic fallacy

Fallacies of Irrelevance v • d • e
Absurdity | Argument from ignorance | Argument from silence | Bandwagon fallacy Bulverism | Irrelevant conclusion | Middle ground | Missing argument Proof by assertion | Straw man | Style over substance | Two wrongs make a right
Appeal to consequences:
	Appeal to force | Wishful thinking
Appeal to emotion:
	Fear | Flattery | Nature | Pity | Repugnance | Ridicule | Spite
Genetic fallacy:
	Personal attack (Appeal to motive | Guilt by association | Poisoning the well | You too) Appeal to authority (Novelty | Poverty | Tradition | Wealth) | Chronological snobbery | Etymology
Other types of fallacy