Description:
The Optimistic Advert Homimen is, in impact, a reverse Advert Hominem. A regular Advert Homimem is a fallacy by which a declare (or argument) is rejected primarily based on an assault on particular person presenting the declare or argument. A Optimistic Advert Hominem happens when a declare or argument is accepted primarily based on an irrelevant constructive high quality of the particular person making it. Sometimes, this fallacy includes two steps. First, one thing constructive (however irrelevant) concerning the particular person making the declare, their circumstances, or their actions is made. Second, that is taken to be proof for his or her declare or that their argument is sweet. This fallacy has the next kind:
Premise 1: Individual A makes declare or argument X.
Premise 2: Individual B notes a constructive (however logically irrelevant) characteristic of A.
Conclusion: Due to this fact, A’s declare is true, or A’s argument is sweet.
The rationale why an advert Hominem (of any variety) is a fallacy is that the character, circumstances, or actions of an individual don’t (most often) have a bearing on the reality or falsity of the declare being made. Just like the damaging Advert Hominem, the Optimistic Advert Hominem depends on psychological power. Simply as (alleged) damaging qualities can incline folks to reject claims made an individual, (alleged) constructive qualities can incline folks to just accept claims. Folks usually commit this fallacy within the context of a Fallacious Enchantment to Authority after they mistake irrelevant constructive qualities as proof of experience. For instance, folks usually take heed to celebrities as a result of they’re well-known, wealthy, or properly preferred. However none of those qualities are related to being a reputable skilled. A extra refined error is mistaking experience in a single space (a constructive high quality) as conferring experience in different areas. For instance, a well-known skilled on physics is likely to be believed after they talk about philosophy, despite the fact that they don’t have any experience within the area.
As with the damaging Advert Hominem, an individual can lie when making a Optimistic Advert Hominem. For instance, an individual may falsely attribute constructive qualities to themselves or a politician they like to steer others to consider them. This fallacy may be inflicted on others in good or unhealthy religion or self-inflicted. In good religion instances, the particular person committing the fallacy believes that the topic has the nice qualities and is blind to the fallacy. In unhealthy religion instances, the particular person utilizing the fallacy is aware of it’s a fallacy or is mendacity concerning the good qualities (or each).
There are instances when information about an individual are related to assessing that particular person’s credibility. There are additionally instances by which non-fallacious arguments may be made primarily based on an individual’s related constructive qualities. For instance, it will not be a fallacy to just accept an skilled’s declare of their area if they’re educated within the area, unbiased, and skilled within the area. For a dialogue of when constructive qualities are related to accepting a declare, see the Enchantment to Authority.
Protection: As with every Advert Hominem, the protection is to take into account that the irrelevant qualities of the particular person making a declare or argument are irrelevant to the reality of their declare or the standard of their argument. It’s particularly necessary to be on guard in instances the place you respect, like or agree with the particular person.
Instance #1
“That Glenn is such a pleasant man and all the time so obsessed with what he says. So, he have to be proper that we should always purchase gold.”
Instance #2
Sally: “What he stated was ridiculous. Why do consider him?”
Janet: “Honey, with a butt like that, how can he be unsuitable?”
Sally: “Nicely, he was actually speaking out of it.”
Instance #3
“I had some doubts about him, however then I spotted that he was sporting an costly go well with. Plus, he had that British accent. There isn’t any means he may very well be mendacity about this deal, so I’m positive it will likely be an incredible funding!”
Instance #4
Henry: “That man doesn’t appear to know what he’s speaking about.”
Jay: “Nicely, he’s a really profitable businessman; he says he has made tens of millions in actual property. Plus, he tells it like it’s.”
Henry: “So that you assume he’s proper that the US ought to change to renewable power?”
Jay: “Sure, I imply he’s wealthy. So, I’m positive he’s proper about solar energy.”
