False compromise

False compromise is when you say the right answer must be in the middle between two views. Sometimes one side is right and the other wrong—the middle can be wrong too. Compromise is often good for getting along, but truth isn't always in the middle. The fallacy is to assume that the midpoint between two claims is correct. When one side is simply mistaken, splitting the difference can be mistaken too.

Examples

• She says 2+2=4, he says 2+2=6, so the answer is probably 5.

• One side says the earth is billions of years old, the other says thousands—so maybe it's millions.

• They say it's safe, they say it's deadly—so it's probably somewhat risky.

• Half say guilty, half say innocent—so we'll call it a draw.

• Management wants 10%, the union wants 5%—let's do 7.5%.