Appeal to tradition
Also called: We've always done it this way
Claiming something is right because it has long been done.
How to spot it
Is age being offered as the only reason?
Example
“We've always held the meeting on Fridays, so Friday is the best day.”
How to answer it
Ask what the practice achieves, and whether something would achieve it better.
Related
- Appeal to novelty: Claiming something is better because it is new.
- Bandwagon: Claiming something is true or good because many people believe it or do it.
- Chronological snobbery: Dismissing an idea because it is old, or assuming that newer ideas must be better.