This fallacy occurs when an arguer supports a position or a claim because it is popular. That is, follow the crowd. This fallacy is also called “appeal to popularity.”
Let’s examine the following example:
What follows is a summary of the arguments in the video:
All the cool kids in the school have the latest iPhone. You should get one, too.
Let’s analyze the arguments. You have two attempts to complete each item.
* 1. What is the arguer’s claim? (Please select the best answer.)
A. You should get the latest iPhone.
B. All the cool kids in the school have the latest iPhone.
That’s right! The statement is the claim.
The statement is not the claim. It is the reason that the arguer uses to support the claim.
The statement in option A presents the arguer’s position/ claim.
* 2. What is the reason that the arguer uses to support the position? (Please select the best answer.)
A. You should get the latest iPhone.
B. All the cool kids in the school have the latest iPhone.
The statement is the claim, not the reason.
Good job! The statement is the reason.
The following statement is the reason: All the cool kids in the school have the latest iPhone.
Although this statement is not relevant to the argument, it is the reason that the arguer offers.
Let’s review the argument and present it in standard format:
Premise/ reason: All the cool kids in the school have the latest iPhone.
Claim/ position: You should get the latest iPhone, too
The arguer uses a reason that is irrelevant and fails to support the claim. In fact, what most people purchase is not relevant to one’s purchasing decision; what is popular is not necessarily the right thing to do. The fallacy of relevance that the arguer commits is called bandwagon.