Relative Privation
Dismissing or praising a situation by comparing it with a more extreme case, when that comparison does not address the relevant standard or concern.
THE IDEA
Relative Privation
(also known as: it could be worse, it could be better)
Description: Using a better or worse case to dismiss a concern or justify a judgment without showing that the comparison is relevant.
Logical Form:
- Person 1 presents a situation as bad (or good).
- Person 2 compares it to a more extreme case to argue it is not so bad (or not so good), ignoring the actual context.
Examples:
Example #1: "My car is a piece of crap. It breaks down at least once a week." "You think you have it bad? People in Africa don't even have cars!" Explanation: This person does have a very crappy car by any reasonable standard. Only comparing his situation with people that have no cars, does his Chevy Nova look like a Rolls Royce. The existence of worse circumstances does not answer the complaint about a car that breaks down frequently.
Example #2: "Dad, I got a C+ on my report card. I'm so happy because I was expecting a D!" "What?! A C+? That is completely unacceptable! You should have gotten an A!" Explanation: The child is comparing the grade with an expected result, while the father is comparing it with an ideal. The statement “it is not acceptable” requires a relevant standard: the ideal grade alone does not establish what was reasonably achievable or expected.
Exception: A comparison can offer comfort or perspective without purporting to settle an argument. Its emotional effect does not itself justify a conclusion about whether the original problem matters.
When to use it
When discussing personal problems, someone says 'it could be worse' to minimize feelings, ignoring the person's legitimate distress.
In political debates, comparing current policies to extreme hypothetical disasters to make them seem good or acceptable.
In performance reviews, comparing an employee's results to the worst performer to make mediocre results look good.
When making decisions, using best-case or worst-case scenarios to justify or reject options without considering realistic outcomes.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Car Comparison
Person A complains about their unreliable car. Person B says, 'People in Africa don't even have cars!' This extreme comparison dismisses the legitimate complaint by using a worst-case scenario, which is fallacious because the original complaint was reasonable by normal standards.
Grade Disappointment
A child celebrates a C+ after expecting a D. The father calls it unacceptable because the child should have earned an A. The disagreement uses different standards; the father needs a reason why that ideal is the appropriate expectation in this case.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How might comparing a situation to an extreme case (best or worst) distort your perception of its actual severity?
In what contexts is it appropriate to use the 'it could be worse' argument, and when does it become a fallacy?
How can you avoid committing the relative privation fallacy when trying to offer perspective to someone?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies