A Lesson in Logical Fallacies

Hello Boys and Girls!

Today we are going to learn all about logical fallacies.  What is a logical fallacy?  A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning.  It is an argument without any evidence to support one's claim.  It relies on faulty bridges between ideas. 

Today we are going to talk about the logical fallacy known as False Equivalence.

In False Equivalence, the person presenting an argument tries to give two sides equal weight when they are almost unrelated.  The argument states that if both sides of the argument have any characteristics in common, then they must be equally wrong or right.  This is because the argument in question is oversimplified, lacking in context, and ignores additional factors. 

In order to better illustrate what a False Equivalence fallacy looks like, I will give an example.

If you think it's wrong for US citizens to be required to have Voter ID, then it's also wrong to request a proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entering areas with high risk of spreading.  These arguments are equal because both requirements are about denying people access to a service if they don't have verification of a certain status.

The argument is a classic logical fallacy as it removes all subtleties, magnitude, and consequences from these disparate requirements and gives them equal weight simply because they ask for something similar.

So for example, if I own a business that is in an enclosed space, or requires people to sit or stand close together, I may want to know that this will not risk spreading the coronavirus to more people.  I want to remove as many risks as I possibly can.  I don't want the potential liability associated with spreading a potentially deadly virus.  If I am a good person, then I also don't want more people to become seriously ill or die.  I may also have friends or family in the healthcare system - doctors, nurses, orderlies, lab technicians,  hospital custodians - and  I don't want them to suffer the stress and burnout of treating more cases, or put themselves at risk of contracting the disease.  I also have more selfish reasons to require proof of vaccinations.  I am tired of the rules and the lockdown and I want this pandemic to end as soon as possible.  The pandemic won't end if the public doesn't do what it takes to stop the spread.

On the other hand, voting is a constitutionally guaranteed right for all US citizens.  It is the cornerstone of our democracy.  In order to make sure all Americans have an equal voice, we need to make sure everyone is equipped to vote.  We need to make it as easy as possible.  During the Jim Crow era, certain members of the US population were forced to pay poll tax in order to keep them from voting.  In the 21st century we have some states trying to require a voter ID costs money and time that some Americans do not have, and thus becomes a disenfranchising poll tax.  Voting needs to be accessible to anyone eligible.  

The negative consequence is there could be potential for voter fraud, but the evidence speaks for itself here.  The country has experienced hundreds of free elections over its history and there has been little evidence of voter fraud.  There is far less voter fraud in this country than there are cases of COVID-19.  Once again, there is no comparison. 

So there you have it, kids.  This is a classic example of a logical fallacy.  The argument claims both sides are equal because they require similar outcomes, but it ignores the all context of the argument.  It neglects the reasons why such forms of ID would be needed and what the consequences.  It tries to make a case for comparison when there is only one point the two sides have in common. 

But nobody would be so silly as to make the kind of illogical argument above, of course.  That would be ridiculous!  I was merely using it as an extreme example of a False Equivalence fallacy.