Description:
A Genetic Fallacy is a line of reasoning in which a perceived defect in the origin of a claim or thing is taken to be evidence that discredits the claim or thing itself. It is also a line of reasoning in which the origin of a claim or thing is taken to be evidence for the claim or thing. This sort of reasoning has the following form:
1. The origin of a claim or thing is presented.
2. The claim is true(or false) or the thing is supported (or discredited).
It is clear that sort of reasoning is fallacious. For example: Bill claims that 1+1=2. However, my parents brought me up to believe that 1+1=254, so Bill must be
wrong.
It should be noted that there are some cases in which the origin of a claim is relevant to the truth or falsity of the claim. For example, a claim that comes from a reliable expert is likely to be true (provided it is in her area of expertise).
Example #1:
The current Chancellor of Germany was in the Hitler Youth at age 3. With that sort of background, his so called reform plan must be a fascist program.
Example #2:
I was brought up to believe in God, and my parents told me God exists, so He must.
Example #3:
Sure, the media claims that Senator Bedfellow was taking kickbacks. But we all know about the medias credibility, dont we.