Poisoning the Well

A Logical Fallacy Named & Explained - Part 1

Name: the Poisoning the Well fallacy

Definition: Presenting negative information about a person before he/she speaks so as to attempt to discredit the person's argument.

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What's wrong with this?:

The problem here is that the truth or falsity of a particular argument is not contingent, in any way, on the moral character of the one making that argument. Two plus two still equals four, even if that equation comes from the mouth of a perverted rapist. With that said, however, it is prudentially advisable that one not give an occasion for bad thinking or unnecessary stereo-typing, especially the Biblical Christian. Once again, though, bad thinking is inexcusable, for the one committing it has intellectual responsibilities as well.

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Examples:

(1) Daniel is pompous, arrogant, and thinks he knows everything. So, let's hear what ol' Danny boy has to say about the subject.

(2) Don't listen to Todd because he is a loser professor, and we know how they are.

(3) Matt is a womanizer and he has the nerve to speak on issues of theology . . . some theology that must be.