The fallacy occurs when one attacks the motivation of an arguer, instead of the argument that the arguer presents.
Let’s examine the following example:
What follows is a summary of the arguments in the video:
IT support: All workers in our warehouse should switch to Mac computers because Macs are more userfriendly.
Supervisor: I know Macs will make your job easier, but I do not think that we should make the switch.
Let’s analyze the arguments. You have two attempts to complete each item.
* 1. What is the IT support’s claim? (Please select the best answer.)
A. Macs are more user-friendly.
B. All workers in the warehouse should switch to Mac computers.
C. The low-maintenance Macs will certainly make the IT support’s job easier.
The statement is not the claim. It is the reason that supports the claim.
That’s right! This statement is the claim that indicates the IT support’s position.
This statement, which is not relevant to the argument, is not the claim.
The statement in option B presents the IT support’s claim.
* 2. What is the reason that the IT support uses to support his position? (Please select the best answer.)
A. Macs are more user-friendly.
B. All workers in the warehouse should switch to Mac computers.
C. The low-maintenance Macs will make the IT support’s job easier.
Splendid! This is the reason that supports the IT support’s claim.
This statement is the claim, not the reason that supports the claim.
The statement, which is not relevant to the argument, is not the reason that the IT support offers.
The following statement is the reason for recommending Macs: Macs are more user-friendly.
* 3. What is the reason that the supervisor uses in an attempt to invalidate the IT support’s argument? (Please select the best answer.)
A. Macs are more user-friendly.
B. All workers in the warehouse should switch to Mac computers.
C. The low-maintenance Macs will make the IT support’s job easier.
This statement is the reason that supports the IT support’s claim.
This statement is the IT support’s claim
Well done! The statement, which is not relevant to the argument, is the reason that the supervisor offers.
The following statement is the reason that the supervisor uses: The low-maintenance Macs will make the IT support’s job easier.
Let’s review the IT support’s argument and present it in standard format:
Premise/ reason: Macs are more user-friendly.
Claim/ position: All workers in the warehouse should switch to Mac computers.
In the refutation, the supervisor should have addressed the reason about Macs’ user-friendliness, not the IT support’s motive, which is irrelevant to the argument.