In this article, we want to address the issue of Argumentum ad lazarum, which has gained great relevance in recent years. Argumentum ad lazarum is a topic that has aroused interest in both the scientific community and the general public, due to its impact on different aspects of society. Throughout this article, we will explore different aspects related to Argumentum ad lazarum, from its origin and evolution, to its influence today. We will delve into its implications both at an individual and collective level, analyzing its importance in areas as diverse as the economy, technology, health, culture and the environment. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to offer a comprehensive perspective that allows us to understand the relevance and complexity of Argumentum ad lazarum today.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2017) |
Argumentum ad lazarum or appeal to poverty is the informal fallacy of thinking a conclusion is correct solely because the speaker is poor, or it is incorrect because the speaker is rich. It is named after Lazarus, a beggar in a New Testament parable who receives his reward in the afterlife.
This is popularly summarized as the statement, "Poor, but honest."
The opposite is the argumentum ad crumenam.
Some experimental evidence supports the appeal to poverty. A 2017 study by Igor Grossmann and Justin Brienza at the University of Waterloo in Canada found that when "wisdom" is defined as the ability to consider opposing perspectives and find a compromise that defuses an interpersonal dispute, poor and working-class people are more likely to show such an ability compared to those in higher socioeconomic classes. As with all fallacies though, the tendency is not absolute.