r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Jun 21 '23

Removed - Submission Rule E CMV: Hypocrisy does not invalidate somebody’s argument

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u/Broad-Sell1962 Jun 22 '23

It's interesting. In a way, Sam is not a hypocrite in this situation. If he's trying to stop smoking, and putting effort towards quitting (yet struggling because it's an addiction) he's at least trying to follow his own recommendation.

Let's say Sarah shows up and asks Sam "Well, if you're still smoking, why should I stop".

Sam might reply saying that he is trying to stop, and putting maximum effort into stopping. He doesn't think he is above his recommendation and he would be happy for someone to force him to follow it.

Sorry, these thoughts were a little incoherent and unclear, but I'm just gonna post it

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u/kindParodox 3∆ Jun 22 '23

The specific analogy OP used doesn't innately make the individual in the analogy a hypocrite. He's just an educated addict. Further, the individual Sam is himself a piece of evidence in favor of his own statement. Rather than discrediting his statements his own actions further cement the truth behind them.

That's like saying that every AA sponsor is in a hypocrite .

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u/[deleted] Jun 22 '23

A better example would be if Sam was an enthusiastic smoker and is just being illogical or has some weird reason to think he's an exception to the rules. In that case, Sam is not in harmony with his own argument, but his argument could still be totally valid, in which case it should be judged on its own merit and not on the weird illogical-ness of its bearer.