Numeram, argumentum ad 119
possibility that so many others could be mistaken. The argu-
mentum ad numeram wrongly equates the numbers in support of
a contention with the correctness of it. Ideas which have mass
support are not necessarily more likely to be right; but the ad
numeram supposes that they are.
Fifty million Frenchmen can't be wrong!
(A glance at the history of that nation will show that they very often
have been.)The fallacy lies in the fact that the Tightness or wrongness of a
contention is neither helped nor hindered by the numbers in
support. Many people are quite often wrong about even simple
things, and received wisdom is not to be equated with factual
knowledge. Simple observation, such as that which shows pla-
nets and stars turning across the skies, can be an unreliable
guide, no matter how many millions attest to its truth.
Everybody's smoking Whifters, why don't you?
(Because he thinks everybody is stupid.)The ad numeram can appeal to general numbers, or more
insidiously, to the numbers of those you respect. You might be
more impressed by the proportion of top people taking The
Times, than by the numbers backing Britain's biggest daily sale.
The question to ask yourself is whether the numbers add any-
thing to the claim.
We have an argument here about whether Ballasteros ever captained a
European golf team. Let's settle it democratically.
(And before you jump off a building, make sure you have enough
votes to carry repeal of the law of gravity.)