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 Fallacy mug.A short song that begins about a farmer living on a rock and ends with a buff lumberjack dude going on a date with a pretty lady. (Yes, you read that right.)
The song's lyrics and its video are noted for being extremely suggestive, with both heavily implying that the upcoming rhyme is going to be something disgusting or dirty, only for it to be something completely innocent or even wholesome. At the very end, the narrator chides the viewer for thinking the song is dirty — ironically, using profanity.
The song's lyrics and its video are noted for being extremely suggestive, with both heavily implying that the upcoming rhyme is going to be something disgusting or dirty, only for it to be something completely innocent or even wholesome. At the very end, the narrator chides the viewer for thinking the song is dirty — ironically, using profanity.
by Ubeenbamboozledson September 20, 2025
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Get the Assumptionable mug.It's not an assumption.
Hym "You can't avoid making assumptions BUT you can avoid investigating. I wanted to go to McDonald's and you don't like the road I took to get to McDonald's. I'm there. Doing this is not going to change the fact that I got to McDonald's with the route I took. And now here we sit. Enjoying the consequences of you IN-action. Because INACTION... ALSO has consequences. Consequences that you are avoiding like the plague. You choose to dangle the key in front of me and when the blood began to flow from my cage into you world... You wept."
by Hym Iam February 28, 2025
Get the Assumptions mug.the assumption that everyone is bisexual until they indicate otherwise - as opposed to assuming everyone is hetero .
“ I’m going on a date tonight - should probably let them know I’m bi since that could be a deal breaker .”
“ Do you actually have to say anything ?”
“ Don’t you think ?”
“ No - I have bi assumption . I just assume everyone is bi . If it’s a deal breaker they will ask . ”
“ Do you actually have to say anything ?”
“ Don’t you think ?”
“ No - I have bi assumption . I just assume everyone is bi . If it’s a deal breaker they will ask . ”
by Alis0nr0se July 24, 2024
Get the Bi Assumption mug.Everyone was assumptive over that odd lady, and they stole her car to see what she has.
They were assumptive over one’s office, so they broke in at night to see what the worker was doing, looking at his computer.
One student was assumptive the teacher was hiding test answers, so he broke in to see if he was right.
They were assumptive over one’s office, so they broke in at night to see what the worker was doing, looking at his computer.
One student was assumptive the teacher was hiding test answers, so he broke in to see if he was right.
by User 18888 February 5, 2023
Get the Assumptive mug.An Illogical Marian Assumption, is my joke, on the Marian Assumption, a Christian doctrine, where The Virgin Mary, ascended to Heaven. It's also, a joke, on the, illogical assumption, a term, in logic.
The Devil's, Illogical Marian Assumption, is that, he hates The Virgin Mary, so he wants her, to join him, in Hell! A joke!
by I'mcrazy May 28, 2025
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