Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

Appeal to Nature is only a fallacy when discussing whether something is good or not, not whether or not it is healthy or safe.

The argument that, say, "walking for six hours a day is unlikely to be dangerous, since early humans did so" may or may not be factually correct, but it's a reasoned argument.




You're not really correct: There are, for instance, poisons and venoms in nature.

Additionally, the example argument you make isn't an appeal to nature; The argument is based upon what early humans did (not nature, or whether something is "natural"), and is a resonable conjecture.

What I had an issue with in the parent comment was "Fasting is kinda natural" - which doesn't say anything about fasting in and of itself.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: