Which term describes an argument to tradition?

Which term describes an argument to tradition?

• A. Argumentum ad antiquitatem
• B. Ad hominem
• C. Ad ignorantiam
• D. Non sequitur

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is appeal to tradition—the move to argue that something is right or good simply because it has always been done that way. This kind of argument assumes that tradition itself guarantees value, so the claim is treated as true or superior just because it’s traditional. The correct term for this is argumentum ad antiquitatem, the Latin name for this exact fallacy. Understanding the other options helps see why this fits best. An ad hominem attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself. An ad ignorantiam argues something is true because it hasn’t been proven false (or false because it hasn’t been proven true). A non sequitur describes a conclusion that doesn’t logically follow from the premises. None of those describe appealing to tradition, which is why the traditional label fits this choice.

The idea being tested is appeal to tradition—the move to argue that something is right or good simply because it has always been done that way. This kind of argument assumes that tradition itself guarantees value, so the claim is treated as true or superior just because it’s traditional. The correct term for this is argumentum ad antiquitatem, the Latin name for this exact fallacy.

Understanding the other options helps see why this fits best. An ad hominem attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself. An ad ignorantiam argues something is true because it hasn’t been proven false (or false because it hasn’t been proven true). A non sequitur describes a conclusion that doesn’t logically follow from the premises. None of those describe appealing to tradition, which is why the traditional label fits this choice.