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FALLACY OF THE GOLDEN MEAN

DEFINITION: This fallacy consists in assuming that the moderate or middle view between two extremes must be the best or right one simply because it is the middle view. A logical fallacy, which asserts that given two positions there, exists a compromise between them, which must be correct. Takes form of assuming that the mossy valid conclusion is that which accepts the best compromise between two competing positions. EXAMPLES: "I have difficulty accepting the notion that all human events are the inevitable results of prior causes, but I also have difficulty with the view that human beings can act apart from prior causes in their experience. In other words, I find both determinism and indeterminism untenable. Surely the most defensible view is somewhere between those extremes." "Consider the following argument that is Sometimes put forth regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict: Both the Arab and Israeli points of view represent extremes. Therefore, some kind of compromise must be the solution.' Compromise may be the only way that this dispute can be finally settled, but it is a different thing to say that a compromise per se is the solution in that conflict." "Suppose you are looking for a used refrigerator for your apartment and you find one that seems to be the right size at a used furniture store. The seller wants $300 for it, and you offer $200. Because the two of you are far apart on the price, you suggest 'splitting the difference' at $250. Although such a compromise may seem fair to you, it my not be the best solution to the problem. On the one hand, it is possible that the seller already has almost $250 invested in it and needs to make some profit. On the other hand, it is possible that it may not be worth $250 in the used furniture market. Indeed, your original offer may have been a fair one." "Bob says we should buy a computer. Sue says we shouldn't. Therefore, the best solution is to compromise an buy half a computer." "Some people claim that God is all powerful, all knowing, and all good. Other people claim that God does not exist at all. Now, it seems

reasonable to accept a position somewhere in the middle. So, it is likely that God exists, but he is only very powerful, very knowing, and very good." "In our psychology department, half of the faculty believe that a behavioral approach is the only valid approach; the other half believe that the only avid approach is psychodynamic. Obviously the most valid approach must be one that incorporates both behavioral and psychodynamic elements." "Should we start counting at 0 or 1? Lets compromise and start at 0.5"

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