Appeal to consequences
Also called: Argument from adverse consequences
Judging whether something is true by whether its results are pleasant.
How to spot it
Is “it would be terrible if this were true” used as a reason to think it isn't?
Example
“There can't be a shortage. Think of the panic if there were.”
How to answer it
Whether something is true doesn't depend on whether we like the consequences.
Related
- Wishful thinking: Believing something because you want it to be true.
- Appeal to fear: Trying to win by frightening people about what happens if they disagree.