Two Wrongs Make a Right

Latin Name: Duos Nefas Planto a Vox

Definition: Two wrongs make a right is a type of logical fallacy. This fallacy generally occurs when it is assumed that if one wrong is committed, another wrong will cancel it out.

Syllogism:

If person B would do X to person A. It is believed that it is acceptable for person A to do X to person B (when A's doing X to B it is not necessary to prevent B from doing X to A)

This sort of "reasoning" is often considered fallacious because when a person performs an  action that is wrong it is still considered wrong even if another person would also do it. This might want to be used in today’s world for a few reasons. The first reason is it is an easy and one of the most well known ways to make your actions look justified. This form of logical fallacy is one of the most common ways out of something it is usually picked up in the early stages of life. Another reason why it can be used today is because it is being used by everybody around us, including role models such as George Bush.

Examples

Jon borrows Alex’s soccer ball and forgets to return after his spare one day. Jon feels it is not such a big deal to keep Alex’s ball because Alex would have probably done the same to him. (This is an example of two wrongs make a right because since Jon thinks Alex would take his own ball he feels its acceptable to take Alex’s ball)

Chocola asks Rupert for help on his math assignment. Since Chocola didn’t help Rupert last time he needed help, Rupert lies and says he hasn’t started it. Rupert believes this is fair because Chocola left him stranded  in his time of need so its only fair to leave Chocola stranded this time. (This is another example of two wrongs make a right because since Chocola did something to Rupert, Rupert thinks its right to do the same thing to Chocola)

Examples in media

Example #1

Ever heard of "two wrongs don't make a right"?

Apparently, Vanity Fair hasn't. All the furor over the New Yorker's Obama "satire" cover led them to conclude that... they needed to do exactly the same thing! This time, of course, the target had to be McCain, and it had to be just as offensive. Because, you know, the most mature way to handle the offensive Obama cover -- even though just about every conservative and Republican anywhere derided it -- is to do the exact same thing to McCain!

Here's the cover:

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2008/07/24/ever-heard-of-two-wrongs-dont-make-a-right.php

Yes, that's McCain with bandages on his head, presumably mocking his injuries as a POW in Vietnam. Yes, he's got a walker -- making fun of his age, how original! Yes, Cindy's got an armful of prescription pills. Yes, that's President Bush above the fireplace. And yes, it is what you think it is burning in the fireplace.

No one praised The New Yorker for the Obama cover. They got slammed for it. So why on Earth would the editors at Vanity Fair feel like attacking McCain on their cover was a good idea? Again, ever heard of "two wrongs don't make a right"? Of course, we have to remember there's a difference here.

Example #2

Brent Scrowcroft Says, In Iraq - Two Wrongs Make A Right

On January 7th, 2007, Washington Stakeout asked Brent Scrowcroft, the NSA advisor for first Bush administration, 'Where are the weapons of mass destruction?' and why did the sanctions against Iraq continue if Saddam complied with disarmament? This argument shows how the government tried to use the fallacy two wrongs make  a right to cover up their attack on Iraq.

http://www.washingtonstakeout.com/index.php/2007/01/10/brent-scowcroft-on-iraq-sanctions-lead-up-to-war-in-iraq/#more-20 (This is a link for the Washington stake out which includes the transcripts and video footage of a Brent Scowcroft interview about Iraq sanctions, lead up to the war.)

 

Selected References

Fiano, Cassy. "Ever heard of "two wrongs don't make a right"?." WizBang. July 24, 2008 - 9:12 PM. Unknown. 25 Oct 2008 .

Bradley, Matthew . "Brent Scowcroft on Iraq sanctions, lead-up to war." The Washington Stakeout. Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 at 6:56 pm. Unknown. 25 Oct 2008 http://www.washingtonstakeout.com/index.php/2007/01/10/brent-scowcroft-on-iraq-sanctions-lead-up-to-war-in-iraq/#more-20.

Unknown, "Fallacy: Two Wrongs Make a Right." The Nizkor Project. 1991. The Nizkor Project. 25 Oct 2008 .