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5 Examples of False Balance

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False balance is a misleading argument that presents two or more positions as equally valid when the evidence strongly supports one over the others. This may be unintentional faulty reasoning. Alternatively, false balance may be used to influence and mislead. The following are illustrative examples.

Wronger than Wrong

Wronger than wrong is a false conclusion that two wrongs are equivalent. This is based on a statement by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov that is known as Asimov's axiom:
When people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical, they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together.
~ Isaac Asimov

Whataboutism

A whataboutism is a suggestion that a wrong isn't wrong because of another wrong. For example, a politician who is caught in a lie who points to another politician who also lied.

Media Bias

Journalism with an agenda to represent a political ideology, state, industry or corporation may use false balance to persuade. Alternatively, false balance may occur due to a failed attempt to be objective. For example, a journalist may present a scientific theory as if it is controversial because scientists exist who contest the theory. This would be highly inaccurate if the vast majority of authoritative scientists in the field agree the theory is valid with dissent coming from non-authoritative sources.

Anecdotal Evidence

Treating anecdotal evidence as equally valid as general empirical evidence. For example, pointing to a study that suggests that a particular diet is associated with weight gain and attempting to balance this with the observation that your friend eats a similar diet and is thin.

False Equivalence

Suggesting two things are essentially the same when they are not. For example, pointing out that both lobsters and humans have serotonin in their brains so their behavior must therefore be similar.

Summary

False balance is the positioning of arguments or positions as if they are equally valid when in fact, one is far more valid than the other.
Overview: False Balance
Type
Definition
A misleading argument that presents two or more positions as equally valid when the evidence strongly supports one over the other.
Related Concepts
Next: False Equivalence
More about cognitive biases:
Ambiguity Effect
Anchoring
Backfire Effect
Base Rate
Biased
Biases
Circular Reasoning
Cognitive Bias
Cognitive Dissonance
Complexity Bias
Crab Mentality
Creeping Normality
Curse Of Knowledge
Decoy Effect
Ethnocentrism
Exposure Effect
False Analogy
False Hope
Fear Of Youth
Gambler's Fallacy
Golden Hammer
Halo Effect
Hindsight Bias
Negativity Bias
Optimism Bias
Peak-End Rule
Positive Bias
Sour Grapes
Survivorship Bias
Us vs Them
Victim Mentality
Wishful Thinking
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Faulty Reasoning

A list of common logical errors.

Cherry Picking

The definition of cherry picking with examples.

Presentism

The definition of presentism with examples.

Hindsight Bias

The definition of hindsight bias with examples.

Begging The Question

The definition of begging the question with examples.

Thought Processes

A list of thinking approaches and types.

Pessimism

The definition of pessimism with examples.

Groupthink

The definition of groupthink with examples.

Forward Thinking

The definition of forward thinking with examples.

Grey Area

Common examples of grey areas.

Automaticity

The definition of automaticity with examples.

Thinking

An overview of thinking with examples.

Metaphor

The common types of metaphor.

Angst

The definition of angst with examples.

Nostalgia

An overview of nostalgia with examples.
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