Argumentum ad crumenam

An argumentum ad crumenam argument, also known as an argument to the purse, is the informal fallacy of drawing conclusions based on the speaker's financial status.[1] The term generally refers to the assumption that having wealth is indicative of insight or virtue, and that poverty denotes the opposite.[1]

The opposite is the argumentum ad lazarum.

Examples:

  • "If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"
  • "This new law is a good idea. Most of the people against it are riff-raff who make less than $20,000 a year."
  • "Warren Buffett is hosting a seminar. This seminar is better than others, because Warren Buffett is richer than most people."

References

  1. ^ a b Fellmeth, Aaron X.; Horwitz, Maurice (2021). "Argumentum ad crumenam". Guide to Latin in International Law. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780197583104.001.0001/acref-9780197583104-e-257. ISBN 9780197583104.