Tu Quoque Fallacy
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
Tu quoque dismisses a claim by accusing the speaker of hypocrisy instead of addressing the argument.
Tu quoque dismisses a claim by accusing the speaker of hypocrisy instead of addressing the argument.
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
- You say I should exercise, but you never work out.
- You can't argue about ethics because you made mistakes too.
- You criticize my spending, but you also waste money.
How to respond
- Separate the claim from the person's behavior.
- Acknowledge inconsistency but return to the argument.
- Ask whether the claim is true regardless of who said it.
Related fallacies
FAQ
Is hypocrisy ever relevant?
It can affect credibility, but it does not automatically refute the claim.
How do I respond to tu quoque?
Focus on the evidence and logic of the claim itself.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)