Open AccessTu Quoque Arguments and the Significance of Hypocrisy
Author(s) -
Scott F. Aikin
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
informal logic
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.368
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2293-734X
pISSN - 0824-2577
DOI - 10.22329/il.v28i2.543
Subject(s) - hypocrisy , sincerity , epistemology , relevance (law) , philosophy , adversary , political science , law , computer science , computer security
Though textbook tu quoque arguments are fallacies of relevance, many versions of arguments from hypocrisy are indirectly relevant to the issue. Some arguments from hypocrisy are challenges to the authority of a speaker on the basis of either her sincerity or competency regarding the issue. Other arguments from hypocrisy purport to be evidence of the impracticability of the opponent’s proposals. Further, some versions of hypocrisy charges from impracticability are open to a counter that I will term tu quoque judo.