The mistake of dismissing a valid accusation of hypocrisy or inconsistency as mere Whataboutism. While true Whataboutism deflects from a topic by raising an irrelevant counter-accusation, this fallacy fallacy occurs when the counter-accusation is directly relevant to exposing double standards or bad faith in the original argument. Crying "Whataboutism!" in such cases is a cheap way to avoid addressing the substantive point about equitable principle.
Whataboutism Fallacy Fallacy Example: Nation A condemns Nation B for electoral interference. Nation B replies, "You have funded coups in ten countries this decade." If Nation A's media declares this "classic Whataboutism," they commit the Whataboutism Fallacy Fallacy. The reply is not a deflection; it's a crucial challenge to Nation A's moral authority and the consistency of the applied principle.
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Whatashield
(n.)
When someone hides behind the word “whataboutism” to avoid admitting they’re being a hypocrite. Basically calling every fair comparison a deflection, so they don’t have to deal with their own double standards.
(n.)
When someone hides behind the word “whataboutism” to avoid admitting they’re being a hypocrite. Basically calling every fair comparison a deflection, so they don’t have to deal with their own double standards.
Example:
Person A: “Trump shouldn't be able to punish his political enemies!”
Person B: “I agree, but let's not forget that y'all didn’t even peep when Obama literally went to the Nixon playbook by using the IRS to go after Tea Party groups because they opposed his agenda.”
Person A: “DAMMIT WHATABOUTISM!”
Person B: "Nah fam, that’s called a precedent and you're using a whatashield."
Person A: “Trump shouldn't be able to punish his political enemies!”
Person B: “I agree, but let's not forget that y'all didn’t even peep when Obama literally went to the Nixon playbook by using the IRS to go after Tea Party groups because they opposed his agenda.”
Person A: “DAMMIT WHATABOUTISM!”
Person B: "Nah fam, that’s called a precedent and you're using a whatashield."
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