Appeal to Accomplishment is a cognitive bias and logical fallacy that occurs when an individual is more likely to accept an argument based on the accomplishments of the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself. This bias can be observed in various areas of debate, where the achievements of the person making the argument can be used to strengthen their position, even if the argument itself is weak or unsupported. For instance, a politician may be perceived as more trustworthy due to their past successes in office, even if their current argument lacks factual evidence. This type of bias can be particularly dangerous in areas of public policy, where arguments may be made with little factual evidence, but are supported by the individual's past success. One of the reasons why Appeal to Accomplishment is a fallacy is that it fails to consider the individual's current argument or the evidence that supports it. Instead, it relies solely on the individual's past achievements, which may not be relevant to the current situation. Additionally, this bias can lead to an over-reliance on authority figures, rather than critical thinking and independent analysis. It is important to note that Appeal to Accomplishment is not always a fallacy. In some cases, an individual's past achievements may be relevant to the current situation, and their expertise may lend credibility to their argument. However, it is essential to evaluate the argument itself and the evidence that supports it, rather than relying solely on the individual's past accomplishments. In conclusion, Appeal to Accomplishment is a cognitive bias and logical fallacy that occurs when an individual gives more weight to an argument based on the accomplishments of the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself. This type of bias can be particularly dangerous in areas of public policy, where arguments may be made with little factual evidence, but are supported by the individual's past success. It is important to evaluate the argument itself and the evidence that supports it, rather than relying solely on the individual's past accomplishments.
cognitive bias, logical fallacy, argument, public policy, evidence
CITATION : "Matthew Walker. 'Appeal To Accomplishment.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=357910 (Accessed on April 19, 2025)"
Appeal to accomplishment is a cognitive bias that makes people think that something is true or good just because a famous person or successful organization has done it. It's like when someone says that a certain food tastes good just because a famous chef recommends it, even though they have never tried it themselves. This is a logical fallacy because it doesn't take into account the individual's own experiences or opinions.
Slogan, Authority, Celebrity Endorsement, Trustworthiness.
Appeal To Accomplishment is a cognitive bias and logical fallacy wherein an individual gives more weight to an argument based on the accomplishments of the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself. This type of bias is often seen in areas of debate, where the accomplishments of the person making the argument can be used to bolster the case for their position, regardless of the actual merits of the argument. For example, a political candidate may be perceived as more credible due to their past success in office, even if the current argument they are making is not well-supported. This type of bias can be particularly dangerous in areas of public policy, where arguments may be made with little factual evidence but are supported by the individual's past success.
Appeal to Authority, Argument From Authority, Argumentum Ad Verecundiam.
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