Definition

Tu Quoque (Latin for "you too") is a logical fallacy where a person responds to criticism by accusing the critic of the same or similar faults, rather than addressing the substance of the criticism. It is a type of ad hominem attack and is also known as the "appeal to hypocrisy."

Examples

Example 1: Personal Attack

Person A: "You shouldn’t smoke; it’s unhealthy."
Person B: "But you smoke, too!"

Example 2: Political Debate

"How can you criticize my spending when your party ran up the deficit last year?"

Example 3: Workplace

"You’re always late!"
"So are you, sometimes!"

Why It's Flawed

Tu Quoque is flawed because:

  • It avoids addressing the actual argument or criticism
  • It distracts by shifting focus to the other person’s behavior
  • It does not refute the validity of the original claim
  • It can derail productive discussion

Arguments should be evaluated on their own merits, not on the actions of the person making them.

How to Spot It

Look for these signs of a tu quoque fallacy:

  1. The response is "you do it too" or similar
  2. The original point is ignored or deflected
  3. The focus shifts to the other person’s behavior
  4. No attempt is made to address the substance of the criticism

Example of spotting it: If someone responds to a critique by pointing out your faults instead of addressing the issue, it’s likely tu quoque.

How to Avoid It

To avoid using or being misled by the tu quoque fallacy:

  • Focus on the argument, not the person making it
  • Address the substance of the criticism directly
  • Avoid deflecting to the other person’s behavior
  • Recognize that hypocrisy does not invalidate a valid point

When evaluating a claim, consider its merits regardless of who is making it.