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arely staircase

(12,482 posts)

6. Two wrongs make a right

Reply to El Supremo (Original post)

Thu Mar 22, 2012, 07:48 PM

Mar 2012

a logical fallacy that occurs when it is assumed that if one wrong is committed, another wrong will cancel it out.

Speaker A: You shouldn't embezzle from your employer. It's against the law.

Speaker B: My employer cheats on their taxes. That's against the law, too!

The unstated premise is that breaking the law (the wrong) is justified, as long as the other party also does so. It is often used as a red herring, or an attempt to change or distract from the issue. For example:

Speaker A: President Williams lied in his testimony to Congress. He should not do that.

Speaker B: But you are ignoring the fact that President Roberts lied in his Congressional testimony!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_wrongs_make_a_right

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8 replies

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Highlight:

Staff Sergeant Robert Bales may get the death penalty... [View all] El Supremo Mar 2012 OP

Amen NeverEnuff Mar 2012 #1

Since there has been Bohunk68 Mar 2012 #2

Just because Bush/Chaney have not been arrested Drale Mar 2012 #3

Very doubtful he was get the death penalty. USArmyParatrooper Mar 2012 #4

Faulty Logic OPOS Mar 2012 #5

Two wrongs make a right arely staircase Mar 2012 #6

And well he should. MrSlayer Mar 2012 #7

He will not get the death penalty. former9thward Mar 2012 #8