A recently coined logical fallacy. It follows that archaeologists 1,000 years from now unearth a collection of Spiderman comics. From the background art, they can tell it takes place in New
York City. NYC is an actual place, as confirmed by archaeology. However, this does not
mean that Spiderman existed.
Often used to illustrate the flaw in the assertion by evangelical Christians that archaeologists unearthing biblical cities today "proves" that the
Bible was written by a supernatural
force.
The Spiderman Fallacy is committed any time the discovery of a mundane element from a myth, legend, or story is taken to
mean that ALL other parts of that story, even the supernatural, are also
true.
Can be modified to use any fictional character whose story takes place in a real life location.
Idiot: The
Bible is literally true! Archaeology proves it! Sodom and Gommorrah have been found!!!
Smart
guy: Dude, you're committing the Spiderman fallacy. New
York City is a real place. Does that prove Spiderman exists?
Smart girl: There was also a real Transylvanian prince named Dracula. Does that prove vampires exist?