Appeal to Nature
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
The appeal to nature fallacy assumes something is good or right simply because it is natural.
The appeal to nature fallacy assumes something is good or right simply because it is natural.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- It is natural, so it must be safe.
- Synthetic products are bad because they're unnatural.
- Natural remedies always work better.
How to respond
- Ask for evidence of safety or effectiveness.
- Point out that natural does not automatically mean good.
- Focus on outcomes and data, not labels.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Is natural always better?
No. Naturalness alone does not determine value or safety.
How should I evaluate 'natural' claims?
Look for evidence of outcomes, not just marketing labels.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)