One of the
FallaciousArguments wherein a) some desirable end result
E is identified; b) some particular means
M is identified, along with a claim that
M -> E; c) therefore
M is advocated as an end in itself--without giving much further consideration (beyond lip service) to
E.
This is a fallacy because:
- M -> E may not be true (or only true under certain circumstances)
- M might have other undesirable ends which counteract its promition of E.
- There may be other means besides M to achieve E, which may or may not be better.
Often times (not always), the advocate of
M has other motives (ulterior or otherwise) for his support of
M, and may actively campaign against other means which might lead to
E. This could be something simple as a personal preference for
M, or a financial (or other) interest in
M, or he may otherwise be identified with
M. Other times, someone just decides that
M->E means
M is good, and forgets about
E.
Seems to be related to
NaturalisticFallacy