Feeling like #FallacyFriday! Every week,Oliver Diaz-Neda will post a logical fallacy and an example to help you all become better debaters, persuaders and rational thinkers. What is a logical fallacy? It is defined as – a flaw in the structure of an argument which renders the argument invalid.
Today’s fallacy
Appeal to Nature
An individual appeals to nature when they base the validity of their argument or the “goodness” of a particular object, practice or idea entirely on the concept that it is “natural” or occurs a certain way in nature. If you have ever discussed food with a vegetarian, vegan or organic food aficionado, then you certainly have struggled to overcome this line of fallacious thinking. Not all things in nature are “good” and not all artificial things in society are “bad,” obviously.
Example:
Jessica
Aren’t you grossed out by thinking about the horrible unnatural things that you put into your body when you eat GMO and non-organic food? Makes me sick.
Jason
Sounds like a first world problem, Jessica. Were it not for scientific advances in agriculture, only those in relatively developed countries would be able to afford to eat. Do you have any proof that there is any reason for me to be “disgusted” by my non-organic meals?
Jessica
I used to eat the same crap that you do and I was always sick and tired. Once I started eating organic and GMO free food, I gained energy, feel healthy and lost weight! Natural food is always the best; anything natural is better for you.
Jason
There is absolutely no science to back your ridiculous claim. Next time you get sick and visit the doctor, tell him/her to only give you “natural” medicine. See how well that works out.
Jessica predicates her belief that “natural” or “GMO-free” foods are inherently “better” than genetically modified foods entirely on the idea that any natural substance is “good for you” without any empirical evidence or logical reasoning. Cancer is also naturally occurring, yet few would consider it “good for you.” This line of reasoning defies logic. Don’t be like Jessica.
