Appeal to ridicule

Informal fallacies → Relevance / appeals

Appeal to ridicule is when you make fun of the other person's idea instead of giving a proper reason why it's wrong. Mocking someone isn't the same as refuting them. Ridicule can put people off and make an idea look silly without showing that it's false. The fallacy is to substitute laughter for argument. The idea might still be right even if it sounds odd—or wrong even if it sounds sensible. We need reasons, not just mockery.

Examples

  • You want to check the numbers? What are you, a conspiracy nut?

  • That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

  • Oh, so now we're all supposed to believe that?

  • Only an idiot would think that.

  • That's so ridiculous it doesn't deserve a response.

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