(also known as the Appeal to the Majority Fallacy)
When the truth or falsity of a claim is concluded solely based on the beliefs or behaviour of the majority
Definition:
The appeal to popularity fallacy occurs when someone, instead of providing evidence and logical reasoning, concludes that a belief or claim is true or false simply because “most people” have accepted or rejected it. This error is based on the false assumption that “the majority cannot be wrong,” whereas history and science have shown that the majority has often been mistaken.
Here, it should be noted that while appeal to popularity and appeal to the majority are sometimes used interchangeably, the term popularity better captures the emotional or social aspect of this fallacy — the tendency to equate acceptance with truth — while majority emphasises the numerical aspect. Both describe the same logical error.
Typical structure of this fallacy:
- Most people believe that “X” is true.
- Therefore, “X” is true.
Or: - Most people do not believe that “Y” is true.
- Therefore, “Y” is false.
Examples from real life:
1. In social discussion:
“Everyone knows that this particular medicinal plant cures all diseases, so don’t doubt it!”
Here, it should be noted that the fact that a belief is widely accepted is not the same as having scientific and reliable evidence.
2. In politics:
First case – The majority view as proof:
“If this law were bad, the majority of people would not have voted for it.”
Here, it should be noted that the majority may make decisions under the influence of propaganda, incomplete information, or an emotional climate.
Second case – The ‘It’s like this everywhere’ version:
In this version, it is claimed that because a phenomenon exists “everywhere” or among “all humans”, it is therefore natural, justified, or unchangeable.
This reasoning often overlaps with the Appeal to Nature Fallacy (“It’s like this everywhere”) and sometimes with the Appeal to Tradition Fallacy. The three together create an illusion of inevitability.
Example:
Person A: “We must fight corruption among politicians in our country!”
Person B: “That’s impossible because it’s like this everywhere, and corruption is deeply rooted among politicians, so it cannot be eradicated in our country.”
Here, it should be noted that the global prevalence of a problem is not evidence that it is justified, natural, or unsolvable. The widespread nature of corruption may be the result of common factors, but this does not prove that no action can be taken to reduce or eliminate it.
3. In general culture:
“Millions of people have watched and liked this film, so it must be the best film of the year.”
Here, it should be noted that the number of views or the widespread appeal of an artistic work does not necessarily indicate its quality or artistic superiority.
4. In the workplace:
“All my colleagues use this method, so it must be effective.”
Here, it should be noted that the widespread use of a method is not sufficient evidence of its effectiveness, and its efficiency should be verified through evidence.
Why is this fallacy dangerous?
- It diverts attention from evidence and logical reasoning to the number of believers.
- It can entrench false behaviours and beliefs merely because they are widespread.
- It hinders critical thinking and leads to the acceptance of claims without careful examination.
How can we recognise and respond to it?
If you see that in an argument, the majority belief or the widespread acceptance of an idea is presented instead of logical reasoning, ask yourself:
– What independent evidence exists to support this claim?
– Do history or science offer examples where the majority has been wrong?
A suitable response might be: “The number of people who hold this opinion is not necessarily proof of its truth. Let’s examine the actual evidence and reasoning.”
Conclusion:
The Appeal to Popularity is one of the most common fallacies in everyday life, the media, advertising, and politics.
Recognising it helps us, rather than following the majority trend, to base our beliefs and decisions on evidence and logical reasoning.
The fallacies of Appeal to Popularity, Appeal to Nature (“It’s like this everywhere”), and Appeal to Tradition are closely related.
All three rely on some form of uncritical external authority — whether it is the majority, nature, or tradition — instead of independent reasoning.