LOGICAL FALLACY: AD POPULUM

Presented by: Patricia Urbano, Asher Esteves, Giellan Manzano, Rhian Bato, Leigh Ann
Estrella, Perry Manalaysay, Fienne Nisperos, Tiffany Requidan
What is a Logical Fallacy?

 The term logical fallacy is in a sense self-

contradictory, because logic refers to valid
reasoning, whereas a fallacy is the use of poor
reasoning. Therefore, the term formal fallacy is
preferred. In informal discourse, however, a logical
fallacy is used to mean an argument that is
problematic for any reason.
 Ad Populum

 The phrase "ad populum" is a Latin

phrase meaning "(appeal) to the public
(or community)”.
Argumentum ad Populum

 Argumentum ad Populum (an appeal to popularity,

public opinion or to the majority) is an argument,
often emotively laden, for the acceptance of an
unproved conclusion by adducing irrelevant
evidence based on the feelings, prejudices, or
beliefs of a large group of people.
Argumentum ad Populum

 Also referred to as the bandwagon

fallacy, the arguer tries to convince the
audience to do or believe something
because everyone else (supposedly) does
Argumentum ad Populum

 An argumentum ad populum is a fallacy that

occurs when it is assumed that it must have some
merit because many or all people believe
something to be true. This type of argument relies
on mass appeal rather than evidence and logical
reasoning.
Argumentum ad Populum

 This fallacy can also occur if one person believes

something just because other people are doing so
as well - this is called peer pressure or groupthink.
It is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone
assumes something is true because many or most
people believe it to be so.
Argumentum Ad Populum Fallacy in Real Life:

 The majority of people love this product.

 This is the most popular restaurant in town.
 Everyone who has tried this dish says it's delicious.
 If you don't like it, then you're just not cool enough.
 It's wrong to eat meat because most vegetarians don't eat meat.
 "You should vote for this candidate because he has the most
money."
 "This is a good car because it's popular."
EXAMPLE:

 The iPhone is the best mobile phone out there

since almost everyone has it. As one of the most
effective logical fallacies out there, the bandwagon
is regularly used in advertising.
“You have to do it that way because
everybody does it that way”.