Appeal to Faith
An appeal to faith offers belief itself as justification when reasons or evidence for a claim are requested. It leaves the requested support unanswered.
THE IDEA
Appeal to Faith
This appeal substitutes a call to faith for reasons supporting a conclusion. It may also assert that only someone with the right kind of faith can understand the argument. The issue is whether support for the disputed claim has been supplied.
Logical Form: Person A: Claims something that defies logic or evidence. Person B: Asks for reasoned justification. Person A: "You just need to have faith."
Example #1: When asked why bad things happen to good people, a believer responds, "You just need to have faith that God has a plan." This deflects from the logical problem of evil.
Explanation: There are some things, some believe, that are beyond reason and logic. Fair enough, but the moment we accept this, absent of any objective method of telling what is beyond reason and why, anything goes. Anything can be explained away without having to explain anything.
Example #2: St. Bingo uses faith to answer any question without providing evidence, such as "Why does the universe exist?" Answer: "It's a mystery of faith."
Explanation: It should be obvious that reason and logic are not being used, but rather "faith". While St. Bingo may be right, there is still no valid reason offered. The problem also arises in the vagueness of the appeal to faith. St. Bingo’s answer can be used to answer virtually any question imaginable, yet the answer is really a deflection.
Exception: A statement of personal faith can explain someone’s commitment. It does not, by itself, provide independent evidence for the claim being disputed.
When to use it
In debates about the existence of God, one might encounter an appeal to faith when logical arguments fail.
In discussions about science and religion, an appeal to faith can shut down inquiry into natural explanations.
When evaluating controversial claims with insufficient evidence, being aware of this fallacy helps maintain rational discourse.
In personal conversations about morality or meaning, an appeal to faith can be used to end discussion without providing reasons.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
The Problem of Evil
When asked why bad things happen to good people, a believer responds, 'You just need to have faith that God has a plan.' This deflects from the logical problem of evil.
St. Bingo's Mysteries
St. Bingo uses faith to answer any question without providing evidence, such as 'Why does the universe exist?' Answer: 'It's a mystery of faith.'
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you recall a time in a debate or discussion when someone used an appeal to faith to avoid a logical conclusion? How did you react?
What distinguishes a legitimate appeal to faith from a fallacious one? Is there a context where faith is appropriate in reasoning?
If a claim is defended solely by an appeal to faith, what does that imply about the evidence for the claim?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies