Pragmatic Fallacy Description: Claiming that something is true because the person making the claim has experienced, or is referring to someone who has experienced, some practical benefit from believing the thing to be true. The practical benefit is often summarized as “it works.” The person is confusing the truth-value of the claim with the results from believing the claim to be true. Logical Form: I believe X is true. Believing in X results in practical benefit Y. Therefore, X is true. Example #1: Starbeam: Of course, astrology is true! Nate: How do you know this? Starbeam: Because on the
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