Argumentum Ad Antiquitatis, also known as the appeal to tradition, is a logical fallacy that occurs when someone argues that a belief or practice is true or acceptable simply because it has been around for a long time. This type of argument is flawed because the age of an idea or practice does not necessarily make it true or relevant to current circumstances. The argument assumes that just because something has been done a certain way for a long time, it must be the correct way to do it. This fallacy is often used in discussions about social norms, cultural practices, and religious beliefs. People may argue that certain practices are acceptable because they have been around for generations, and therefore they must be right. However, this type of argument ignores the possibility that these practices may have been harmful or unjust all along, and that society has simply failed to recognize it until now. It is important to note that not all traditions are inherently bad or fallacious. However, it is important to critically examine the reasons behind why we continue to uphold certain traditions, and to question whether they are still relevant and beneficial in today's world. In order to avoid falling prey to Argumentum Ad Antiquitatis, it is important to evaluate beliefs and practices based on their own merit and not simply because they have been around for a long time. It is also important to be open to new ideas and perspectives, and to recognize that just because something is new does not necessarily mean it is wrong.
logical fallacy, tradition, social norms, cultural practices, religious beliefs
CITATION : "Joseph Edwards. 'Argumentum Ad Antiquitatis.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=361505 (Accessed on August 17, 2025)"
Argumentum Ad Antiquitatis is a kind of cognitive bias and logical fallacy. It means that people believe something is true because it is old. A good example of it is when someone says that something is good because it has been around for a long time. This kind of thinking is not always correct because sometimes, even though something is old, it can still be wrong or outdated.
Argument from antiquity, tradition, age, past practices, appeal to authority, traditional wisdom, appeal to time-honored beliefs, appeal to ancient practice.
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