Middle Ground

Definition

This fallacy is committed when someone argues that the middle ground must be correct because it is in the middle of two extremes.

Examples

• From Nizkor: A month ago, a tree in Bill's yard was damaged in a storm. His neighbor, Joe, asked him to have the tree cut down so it would not fall on Joes new shed. Bill refused to do this. Two days ago another storm blew the tree onto Joe's new shed. Joe demanded that Joe pay the cost of repairs, which was $250. Bill said that he wasn't going to pay a cent. Obviously, the best solution is to reach a compromise between the two extremes, so Bill should pay Joe $125 dollars.

External References

• Nizkor: Middle Ground