False equivalence

This article is about the logical fallacy. For the media term, see False balance.
Not to be confused with argument to moderation, also known as false equivalence, a fallacy asserting that the truth is between two extremes.
Apples and oranges are both similar-sized seeded fruits that grow on trees, but that does not make the two interchangeable.

A false equivalence or false equivalency is an informal fallacy in which an equivalence is drawn between two subjects based on flawed or false reasoning. This fallacy is categorized as a fallacy of inconsistency.[1] Colloquially, a false equivalence is often called "comparing apples and oranges."

  1. ^ Phillips, Harry; Bostian, Patricia (2014). The Purposeful Argument: A Practical Guide, Brief Edition (Second ed.). Cengage Learning. p. 129. ISBN 9781285982847.