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Have you noticed this common logical fallacy?

Have you observed that a common error in reasoning occurs when trying to resolve the cognitive dissonance of having made a poor or suboptimal decision? The argument goes like this:

  • I did "a'
  • "b" is morally equivalent or worse than "a"
    -Therefore, "a" is good or at least permissible.

To choose a couple of extreme examples:
-I may rob people, but the government also robs people by taxing their hard earned income.
-or-
-I may rob people, but at least I haven't killed anyone.

#government
Diogenes1972 6 Nov 20
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0

Level 8

yes, we have noticed.

g

2

Level 8

Yeah it's a similar non-sequitur to "he did it first" or "she started it".

0

Level 9

It is an intentional tactic often used to try to reduce guilt.

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