1. By Ida Melbye

2. Appeal to tradition The fallacy to claim that something is right just because it is old and because “that is the way it has always been” Is the opposite of ad novitatem ad novitatem is the fallacy to assume something is right just because it is new. Example: The iPhone is the best touch screen phone on the market, as it has the newest technology.

3. For thousands of years people have believed in Jesus Christ and the bible. Therefore Christianity most be true. For many years women were not allowed to work, vote etc. Simply because it was the way it had always been.

4. If you want to state that something has been done for many years, do not use this as your only evidence. Back it up by explaining why this tradition or idea has been around for so long. What makes the tradition good? Why is ___ true?

5. Appeal to the people Popular appeal Appeal to the majority The fallacy to claim that something is correct just because a large group of people or the public agrees. Ad populum is used on the assumption that many people are more likely to be right than one person. Also, numerous of people feel it is better to “be normal” and do/think as everybody else than to go against the crowd.

6. "For thousands of years people have believed in Jesus and the Bible. This belief has had a great impact on their lives. What more evidence do you need that Jesus was the Son of God? Are you trying to tell those people that they are all mistaken fools?" "But officer, I don't deserve a ticket; everyone goes this speed. If I went any slower, I wouldn't be going with the stream of traffic." “Ask anyone and they will tell you the same thing!”

7. It is no longer a fallacy if the group of people that is mentioned does actually determine the truth. Example: “Most physicians believe that a high fat diet is unhealthy, so people on a fat diet should therefore change their eating habits.” One can avoid this fallacy by providing more evidence. Example: Instead of: “Everybody believes that..” Write: “According to a survey done by the student government, 68 % of the students at CRLS believe that… “

8. "Argumentum Ad Populum." Philosophy Home Page. 1 Apr. 2009. "Logical Fallacies and the Art of Debate." California State University, Northridge. 1 Apr. 2009. "Atheism: Logic & Fallacies." Secular Web: Atheism, Agnosticism, Naturalism, Skepticism and Secularism. 1 Apr. 2009 http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/logic.html#no vitatem>.