Which fallacy involves repeating an assertion so often that it becomes accepted as true?

Which fallacy involves repeating an assertion so often that it becomes accepted as true?

• A. Argumentum ad nauseam
• B. Dicto simpliciter
• C. Dictionary simpliciter
• D. Petitio principii

Answer: (A)

Repetition of an assertion until it is accepted as true is a fallacy known as argumentum ad nauseam, or the appeal to repetition. The tactic relies on how repetition can make a claim seem plausible simply because it’s heard often, not because there is any supporting evidence. It persuades by volume rather than logic—a claim can feel familiar and thus credible even if it’s not. This differs from other fallacies: a sweeping generalization makes a broad claim about many cases without justification; begging the question assumes the conclusion within the premises; and a distractor that sounds like a nonstandard term isn’t a recognized fallacy, so it doesn’t fit the pattern of argument based on repeated assertion.

Repetition of an assertion until it is accepted as true is a fallacy known as argumentum ad nauseam, or the appeal to repetition. The tactic relies on how repetition can make a claim seem plausible simply because it’s heard often, not because there is any supporting evidence. It persuades by volume rather than logic—a claim can feel familiar and thus credible even if it’s not.

This differs from other fallacies: a sweeping generalization makes a broad claim about many cases without justification; begging the question assumes the conclusion within the premises; and a distractor that sounds like a nonstandard term isn’t a recognized fallacy, so it doesn’t fit the pattern of argument based on repeated assertion.