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Small-Scale Question Sunday for January 21, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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What is the name of the fallacy where one claims religious authorities don't believe in their own doctrines and are motivated by desire for power?

How exactly is that a fallacy?

I tried rephrasing my question for ChatGPT, and it gave me a pretty close answer:

"What is the name of the logical fallacy where you believe other people think the same way you do?"

ChatGPT: "The logical fallacy you're referring to is called the 'false consensus effect.' This occurs when someone believes that their opinions, beliefs, or preferences are more common or widely shared than they actually are. It involves an overestimation of the extent to which others agree with one's own views."

That's the typical mind fallacy.

Oh I see, so you're objecting to the way people accept it as a common assumption, rather than justifying it in each individual case?

I'd call it the Pharisee fallacy.