Unappealing to Antiquity
Making the argument that a practice is good or virtuous or meritorious simply because people did it in the past is a logical fallacy. The fallacy is called The Appeal to Antiquity, which rears its ugly head quite often when analyzing claims.
Today’s example comes courtesy of “Chanel, ” a freelance model and actress, who is one of the stars of MTV’s True Life. Her appeal to ancient wisdom comes in the form of bathing in pigs blood in an attempt to keep her skin looking youthful. “I feel like thousands of years ago . . . people did this and it worked. My skin is very soft, and I feel like I owe it to the blood.”
And as you might have already guessed, there is no scientific evidence showing that bathing in blood (pig or otherwise) preserves a youthful appearance. In fact, it might be harmful. As reported by Medicaldaily.com,
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, humans have been known to contract specific forms of the flu virus from contact with pigs. Also, consumption of raw pig is associated with trichinellosis and Steptococcus suis meningitis.
Two things are for certain: this does have an effect on how people view your critical thinking capabilities – a side effect that Chanel doesn’t seem to care about, and it gives a new meaning to the phrase “bloodbath”.
It may work as a Jihadi repellent.
LOL That’s awesome.
Wow, wonder if she thinks that shew still lives after she dies too. “Convince people of absurdities they will commit atrocities” Voltaire.
Max was close, ‘appalling to antiquity ‘ is a might nearer!
Thousands of years ago people were dead before their skin got wrinkly.