Difference between revisions of "Perfect-solution fallacy"

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The '''perfect-solution fallacy''' is the [[logical fallacy]] of assuming that just because a solution does not perfectly solve a problem, it is not worth trying at all.<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PerfectSolutionFallacy Perfect Solution Fallacy]</ref>  It is a particular form of a [[false dilemma]].
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The '''perfect-solution fallacy''', also called '''letting the perfect be the enemy of the good''', is the [[logical fallacy]] of assuming that just because a solution does not perfectly solve a problem, it is not worth trying at all.<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PerfectSolutionFallacy Perfect Solution Fallacy]</ref>  It is a particular form of a [[false dilemma]].  The perfect-solution fallacy is similar but not identical to the [[Nirvana fallacy]].
 
==Examples==
 
==Examples==
 
Liberals often commit the perfect-solution fallacy, as in the following examples:
 
Liberals often commit the perfect-solution fallacy, as in the following examples:
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*Because [[abstinence]]-only education does not completely eliminate teen pregnancy, abstinence should not even be mentioned in schools.
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*Because [[abstinence]]-only education does not completely eliminate teen pregnancy, abstinence should not even be mentioned in schools. (See [[abstinence denial]])
 
*Because sodomy laws did not completely eliminate [[HIV]], there was no point in enforcing them.
 
*Because sodomy laws did not completely eliminate [[HIV]], there was no point in enforcing them.
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== See also ==
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*[[Perfectionism]]
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==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
[[Category:Logical Fallacies]]
 
[[Category:Logical Fallacies]]

Latest revision as of 21:18, February 15, 2024

The perfect-solution fallacy, also called letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, is the logical fallacy of assuming that just because a solution does not perfectly solve a problem, it is not worth trying at all.[1] It is a particular form of a false dilemma. The perfect-solution fallacy is similar but not identical to the Nirvana fallacy.

Examples

Liberals often commit the perfect-solution fallacy, as in the following examples:

  • Because abstinence-only education does not completely eliminate teen pregnancy, abstinence should not even be mentioned in schools. (See abstinence denial)
  • Because sodomy laws did not completely eliminate HIV, there was no point in enforcing them.

See also

References