Part of our Study Method includes reasoning and testing. To reason well, we must recognize and address fallacious arguments. Inwardly, many popular doctrines and traditions are defended with fallacious reasoning; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us determine if a doctrine or tradition is true and Biblical. Outwardly, many arguments against the faith are based on fallacious arguments; and, recognizing the fallacy helps us defend the faith and resist being broken down by the enemy.
Argumentum Ad Populum is a Latin phrase that means “argument to the people” or “appeal to the people”. This is a fallacious argument that attempts to prove something by citing how popular it is. The error in this argument is twofold:
First, the argument assumes the many are right and beyond reproach. The argument ignores the fact that many wrong people can agree on something and still be collectively wrong.
Second, the argument can be used to divert attention off the facts. Instead of explaining or proving a point, the Argument Ad Populum tries to convince us to accept it on a belief that many people cannot all be wrong.
Example of the Appeal the People
I had a pastor argue doctrine with me; his main counter-point against me was he knows all the local pastors in our area, and they all believe like he believes. He said none of the local pastors believe like I believe. Basically, the pastor was arguing as follows:
P1 All local pastors in the neighborhood agree on a mainstream Christian interpretation of scripture
P2 None of the local pastors in the neighborhood accept a Messianic interpretation of scripture
C1 Therefore, a Messianic interpretation of scripture is false
The pastor’s folly was that he began by assuming he is right without any reason or evidence to support that assumption. Then, he defended his position by arguing that he knows other pastors who agree with him. Well, every Messianic Rabbi I know agrees with me. And, there are a billion Hindus in the world who all agree Hinduism is right and the Vedas are true. So now what? If the argument “lots of people agree with me” is acceptable then how do we decide which faith is right? Do we count up votes and the one with the most wins?
Atheists also use the Argumentum Ad Populum. I’ve seen atheists smugly state that most of society is turning secular and rejecting God. While that may be true, it proves nothing. God and the Bible aren’t proven false just because many secular people agree on it. Also, end-times prophecy tells us most of the world will turn on God; so, the increase in anti-Christ sentiment only reinforces my trust in scripture.
If someone uses an appeal to popularity or majority, we should immediately acknowledge this as a fallacious argument. However, there is a double-edge to this acknowledgement. A fallacious argument only means the structure and reasoning of the argument is bad; it’s doesn’t prove the argument is untrue. In the example of the pastor who argued against me, it is possible that his position is true but he is grossly inept at explaining or defending it. That pastor might rely on rhetorical and fallacious arguments because he really doesn’t understand scripture well enough to go into the world and reason with others.
So, if someone uses a fallacious argument we shouldn’t necessarily bash them as ignorant and wrong. We can tell them their argument is bad and ask them to try again. Through refining arguments and eliminating invalid and fallacious points we should either come to realize a position is wrong or we should eventually get to the place where we can adequately explain why it’s right.
Appeal to Tradition
An appeal to tradition is very similar to an appeal to popularity; it just adds the additional element of time. An appeal to popularity says, “This is true because many people agree on it.” An appeal to tradition says, “This is true because many people have agreed on it for a long time.” The addition of length of time is intended to add weight to the argument, but it contains exactly the same problems as an appeal to popularity.
Appeal to Authority
Argumentum Ab Auctoritate is a Latin phrase than means “argument from authority”. An argument from authority is similar to an appeal to popularity; but, instead of citing widespread acceptance as proof, it cites the opinion of a perceived authority figure. This fallacy is commonly used by arguing that a famous preacher or theologian said something, so it must be true.
I had a pastor use this form of argument against me by citing his favorite authors as if that settles the matter. The argument insists a particular author is right (based on his fame or popularity) and anyone who disagrees with the author must be wrong. Obviously, this is a problem because no human is 100% right. And, if we’re honest, we must acknowledge that many authors are writing books to make money or assert doctrines that aren’t true.
Besides relying on a favorite authority figure to be infallible, the argument from authority fails to actually study or explain the issue at hand. It’s bad argument to try to convince anyone with this assertion, but it’s also lazy scholarship to read someone’s commentary and just believe him rather than studying scripture and testing doctrine for ourselves.
Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)
We need to be aware of flawed arguments that try to convince us by playing on our emotions or getting us to accept false evidence. When someone uses such an argument against us, we should call him on it and ask him to provide better reasoning.
In our personal study, we should understand our own thought and reasoning. We should honestly assess our reasoning to see if our thoughts and beliefs are based on fallacy and bad evidence. Doing this will help us refine our thoughts so that we can eliminate error and be prepared to explain our position to others. If we fail to refine our process and perfect our reasoning, we are prone to fall into the trap of choosing to believe things that don’t hold up to scrutiny.
In group study, we should present our arguments and allow other members of the group to poke holes in it. By doing so, we are forced to refine our thinking until we either have to reject a position as untrue or we understand it well enough to believe it and explain it to others. A Bible-study group that does this will benefit from many perspectives, and everyone in the group will grow to a higher level of understanding. This method also prepares people to teach, evangelize, and defend their faith.
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