Appeal to Heaven or God: A Fallacy to Avoid

Abandoning Logic and Reason

WEB Appealing to Heaven or God in an argument is a grave abandonment of logic and reason. It suggests that the argument's validity hinges on a higher authority, rather than the merits of the argument itself.

Potential Dangers

As we have seen in historical examples, arguments appealing to Heaven or God can lead to disastrous consequences. From the Crusades to the American Manifest Destiny, such arguments have been used to justify violence and oppression.

The Special Covenant Fallacy

Deus Vult Gott mit Uns Manifest Destiny and other similar phrases represent a specific type of fallacy known as the Special Covenant Fallacy. This fallacy assumes that a particular group or individual has a special relationship with God, and thus their actions are justified.

Rejection of Universal Reason

The contemporary fallacy holds that any argument, standpoint, action, or conclusion is valid if it is supported by an authority figure. This undermines the principles of universal reason and objective truth.

Conclusion: The Dangers of Ignoring Reason

Appealing to Heaven or God is a dangerous fallacy that undermines critical thinking and can lead to irrational and harmful actions. By abandoning logic and reason, we risk embracing dogma and superstition, with potentially devastating consequences for ourselves and society.