Genetic Fallacy
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
The genetic fallacy judges a claim based on its source rather than its evidence.
The genetic fallacy judges a claim based on its source rather than its evidence.
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
- That study is wrong because it came from a small college.
- This idea is bad because it came from our competitor.
- The policy can't be good because a corporation funded it.
How to respond
- Evaluate the claim itself, not just its origin.
- Ask for evidence that the source makes it false.
- Separate bias concerns from the actual data.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Does the source ever matter?
It can signal bias, but it doesn't by itself prove the claim is false.
How do I handle source bias?
Look for independent confirmation and transparent methods.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)