Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

Which fallacy is characterized by the argument "everyone is doing it, so it must be a good thing"?

1. Ad populum

2. Straw man

3. Begging the question

4. Appeal to emotion

The correct answer is: Ad populum

The argument characterized by "everyone is doing it, so it must be a good thing" is known as the ad populum fallacy. This fallacy appeals to the popularity of an idea or action as a reason for accepting it as valid or true. The underlying assumption is that if many people believe something or engage in a particular behavior, it must be right or acceptable. In this context, the statement implies that the sheer number of individuals participating in an action is enough to justify its validity or morality. This is a logical misstep, as the popularity of a practice does not inherently speak to its ethical or logical soundness. Other options such as the straw man fallacy, which misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, the begging the question fallacy, which assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premises, and the appeal to emotion fallacy, which seeks to manipulate an emotional response rather than address the argument itself, do not align with the reasoning pattern exhibited in the statement about what everyone is doing. This highlights why ad populum is the fallacy that best fits the argument provided.