The logical error of assuming people act honestly, ethically, or transparently without evidence, ignoring that self-interest, incentives, and deception often influence behavior. Accepting statements or actions at face value without considering motives is the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.
Examples Illustrating the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy:
1. Law Enforcement:
Police at a crime scene operate under the assumption of malice or self-interest, not automatic honesty. Ignoring human self-interest in these situations would be dangerous and illogical.
2. Sports / Entertainment:
In the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, assuming the bout wasn’t rigged just because they denied it ignores possible financial or strategic incentives, making this a clear Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.
3. Everyday Life / Buying Items:
Buying a “cheap” iPad or concert tickets on Craigslist without checking could leave you with a fake or broken product. Verifying items before purchase follows the assumption of malice, showing why assuming honesty is a fallacy.
Examples Illustrating the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy:
1. Law Enforcement:
Police at a crime scene operate under the assumption of malice or self-interest, not automatic honesty. Ignoring human self-interest in these situations would be dangerous and illogical.
2. Sports / Entertainment:
In the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, assuming the bout wasn’t rigged just because they denied it ignores possible financial or strategic incentives, making this a clear Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.
3. Everyday Life / Buying Items:
Buying a “cheap” iPad or concert tickets on Craigslist without checking could leave you with a fake or broken product. Verifying items before purchase follows the assumption of malice, showing why assuming honesty is a fallacy.
1. “Thinking a stranger handing you a USB drive is safe to plug in? That’s the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy—people can have hidden motives.”
2. “Believing every politician is telling the truth during a campaign speech is a classic Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”
3. “Assuming your roommate would never eat your leftovers without asking? That’s textbook Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”
2. “Believing every politician is telling the truth during a campaign speech is a classic Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”
3. “Assuming your roommate would never eat your leftovers without asking? That’s textbook Assumption of Benevolence Fallacy.”
by QuestingPalm August 24, 2025
Get the Assumption of Benevolence Fallacymug. Pointing out a certain contraband or prohibited action alike which only implies said person pointing it out also knows or is involved in said prohibition.
Though it doesnt have to be immoral, it could just be akward or embarrassing.
Though it doesnt have to be immoral, it could just be akward or embarrassing.
P-hub intro plays
B : hey, you cant watch that here are you crazy?
A : watch what? What am i watching?
B : thats obviously p-hub
A : you know what the intro sounds like??
C : you just proved the p-hub fallacy B
/
B : how do you- yknow, do it with your fingers?
A : oh, 5 inch in the curl
A : i mean, thats what they said! I dont know myself i havent tried anything like that yet.
B : ? Did you just excecute the p-hub fallacy
B : hey, you cant watch that here are you crazy?
A : watch what? What am i watching?
B : thats obviously p-hub
A : you know what the intro sounds like??
C : you just proved the p-hub fallacy B
/
B : how do you- yknow, do it with your fingers?
A : oh, 5 inch in the curl
A : i mean, thats what they said! I dont know myself i havent tried anything like that yet.
B : ? Did you just excecute the p-hub fallacy
by Anoneeneemus December 12, 2024
Get the P-hub fallacymug. "When one tries to ask a question or make an observation and another party immediately accuses them of being part of an unrelated discredited group."
"Hey, I think the government might be cloud-seeding."
"Are you a flat-Earther too?"
"Don't hit me with that Sidecar Fallacy BS... I've seen the patents!"
"Are you a flat-Earther too?"
"Don't hit me with that Sidecar Fallacy BS... I've seen the patents!"
by TooLateBlue July 10, 2023
Get the Sidecar Fallacymug. A humorous twist on the well-known logical fallacy called the “straw man fallacy”, derived from the iconic straw hat-wearing character Monkey D. Luffy in the popular manga and anime series “One Piece.” In the world of informal logic and debate, “The Luffy Fallacy” involves misrepresenting an opponent's argument by substituting it with a simpler, exaggerated, or caricatured version, similar to how Luffy’s whimsical adventures often lead to exaggerated misunderstandings. This fallacy serves as a reminder to engage in fair and honest discourse, avoiding the temptation to create straw man arguments for the sake of convenience or humor.
Person 1: “I think we should invest more in renewable energy sources to combat climate change.”
Person 2: “Whoa, hold on a sec! So you're saying we should just, like, drop giant rubber bands around the world and bounce energy off them? That sounds crazy!”
Person 1: “Whoa, that's a classic ‘Luffy Fallacy’ right there! I’m all for renewable energy, not rubber bands. Let’s stick to the real world.”
Person 2: “Whoa, hold on a sec! So you're saying we should just, like, drop giant rubber bands around the world and bounce energy off them? That sounds crazy!”
Person 1: “Whoa, that's a classic ‘Luffy Fallacy’ right there! I’m all for renewable energy, not rubber bands. Let’s stick to the real world.”
by yoshi_drinks_tea September 3, 2023
Get the Luffy Fallacymug. The US government swore tormenting's Pablo with constant E.L.F. broadcasts into standing up for what he didn't believe in would end up being good for the country, but it ended up being an example of The Fallacy of Means when it Really ended in economy ruining sanctions.
by DoomTheory December 22, 2020
Get the The Fallacy of Meansmug. Similar to the "appeal to authority fallacy," this occurs when an individual treats the output of an AI as absolute truth—rather than making their own argument—believing the AI to be a kind of deific superintelligence (perhaps more objective than any human authority). The information is accepted uncritically, without independent evaluation. This tendency is often observed among intellectually disengaged individuals online who are unable or unwilling to present a logically sound case of their own.
Tim: Presents a compelling case using his own reasoning.
Grug: “Oh yeah? Well, here’s what the AI said.” Posts erroneous AI output—likely without critically analyzing it.
Jon (onlooker): “There’s the appeal to AI fallacy again! Just because an AI made a claim, that doesn’t make it true—or even reasonable.”
Grug: “Oh yeah? Well, here’s what the AI said.” Posts erroneous AI output—likely without critically analyzing it.
Jon (onlooker): “There’s the appeal to AI fallacy again! Just because an AI made a claim, that doesn’t make it true—or even reasonable.”
by L Currie April 12, 2025
Get the Appeal to AI fallacymug. The synthetic association fallacy is an association fallacy which asserts by irrelevant association that the synthesis or product of two seperate elements is always the exact same as the grouping of those two separate elements. (Correction of Fallacy: Although A is within B and is also within C, not all synthesises/products of B and C, are A)
Synthetic Association Fallacy: all apple-banana mixes are apple-banana juice.
Correction: Although apple-banana juice is within "Apple-contained items" and is also within "Banana-contained items", not all items containing both apples and bananas are apple-banana juice.
SA Fallacy: all market-oriented socialisms are market socialism.
Correction: Although market socialism is a type of socialism and is also market-oriented, not all market-oriented socialisms (socialist ideologies) are market socialist.
SA Fallacy: All conservative Christians are right-wing (of the Christian Right).
Correction: Although the Christian Right is a conservative moment and is also a Christian movement and almost all conservative Christians are right-wing, not all conservative Christian movements are of the Christian Right.
Correction: (for example, Christian Socialism is both conservative and supposedly Christian but obviously isn't of the Christian Right because it isn't capitalist)
Correction: Although apple-banana juice is within "Apple-contained items" and is also within "Banana-contained items", not all items containing both apples and bananas are apple-banana juice.
SA Fallacy: all market-oriented socialisms are market socialism.
Correction: Although market socialism is a type of socialism and is also market-oriented, not all market-oriented socialisms (socialist ideologies) are market socialist.
SA Fallacy: All conservative Christians are right-wing (of the Christian Right).
Correction: Although the Christian Right is a conservative moment and is also a Christian movement and almost all conservative Christians are right-wing, not all conservative Christian movements are of the Christian Right.
Correction: (for example, Christian Socialism is both conservative and supposedly Christian but obviously isn't of the Christian Right because it isn't capitalist)
by hgjfsklvmjfghbugdsfkc July 21, 2023
Get the Synthetic Association Fallacymug.