Logical Fallacies of Companies Advertisments

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Gillette: We Believe

Gillette: We Believe

Genetic Fallacy

  • The Genetic Fallacy is a logical fallacy that directly links a persons origin to its character, personality, or nature, and it is present in the Gillettes campaign ad.
  • The argument begins with an identification of the origin of an individual, group, or entity.
  • The next step involves the process of outlining the characteristic of the assumed origin.
  • The latter is followed by the association of the target unit with the selected characteristic on the basis of the inherent origin of the person or group.
  • The argument is complete by fully linking the subject with the chosen trait or feature, whereas origin does not determine the trait.

Explanation

  • The main message of the campaign ad is focused on the toxic masculinity.
  • The problematic elements are found in the underlying message that men will be men statement, which links the origin of males with certain characteristics.
  • The genetic fallacy is made due to the fact that the campaign ad uses a group of a diverse set of males as subjects.
  • The features of machoism are associated with males as their inherent nature.
  • The genetic fallacy is committed by linking machoism characteristics with all men of single masculine origin.

Gucci Blackface Sweater

Gucci Blackface Sweater

Straw Man

  • Straw Man logical fallacy is based on the notion that ones viewpoint is simplistic.
  • It is common during confrontational debates and disputes, where one side does not consider the key details of the opponents side.
  • The fallacy is committed by deliberately dismissing the essential underlying problems with the statement and generalizing the elements, and it is present in the Gucci blackface sweater ad.
  • Simplification and oversimplification are two central forces behind the given logical fallacy, which undermines the intricate details.
  • An individual adhering to Straw Man logical fallacy ignores the overall complexity of the issue.

Explanation

  • Gucci creates a sweater that highly resembles blackface, which inevitably results in a serious backlash.
  • The ad merely suggests that it is a piece of fashionable clothing with no consideration of the history of blackface.
  • The creators oversimplify the underlying factors behind blackface, which are linked to racism.
  • Blackface is not a controversial practice of a person painting ones face in black, but rather it is an element of historical subjugation and oppression of African Americans through systemic racism.
  • Blackface is a complex issue that was originally put in place in order to create distorted imagery of Black people, and it was systematically promoted across a wide range of media. Therefore, the Straw Man-based oversimplification cannot be tolerated, where Gucci refers to the clothing as not a blackface, because the latter requires painting ones face.

Burger King Chopsticks

Burger King Chopsticks

Ad Hominem

  • Ad Hominem is a logical fallacy that targets the subject by attacking a personal traits and characteristics without providing relevant basis.
  • The ad attacks the imagery of an Asian person, and thus, there is Ad Hominem fallacy.
  • The overall approach based on the notion of dismissing the relevant issues, and focusing on ones personal characteristics.
  • The fallacy intentionally or unintentionally avoids the well-constructed discussion around the topic.
  • It is an effortless jump towards irrelevant conclusions which are based on implausible factors.

Explanation

  • Burger King attacks the general imagery of an Asian person as someone who always uses chopsticks.
  • The ad mocks the fact that an Asian individual does not know how to eat a burger.
  • Instead of embracing relevant elements of the Asian culture, it uses personal attack tactics by making effortless assumptions.
  • Humor in the ad is misplaced, because the creators lack any form of awareness of the local customs and cultural elements.
  • Therefore, chopsticks are used as personal trait to attack the imagery of an Asian person.

References

Gillette. (2019). We believe: The best men can be [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Held, A. (2019). Gucci apologizes and removes sweater following blackface backlash. NPR. Web. 

Sign1News. (2019). ICYMI: Burger King slammed for ad using chopsticks [Video]. YouTube. Web.

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