Style over substance

The style over substance fallacy occurs when an argument is judged or accepted based on its presentation rather than its content. This fallacy places undue emphasis on the eloquence, appearance, or delivery of the message instead of the actual evidence and logic supporting it.

This fallacy can mislead people into believing a claim is true or valid simply because it is presented in a polished, attractive, or authoritative manner. While style and presentation can enhance communication, they should not overshadow the importance of solid reasoning and factual evidence.

Examples:

Charismatic Speaker: "The candidate gave an incredibly moving and passionate speech, so he must have the best policies."
Here, the judgment is based on the speaker's style rather than the actual content and viability of the policies being proposed.

• Flashy Presentation: "The company's new product must be revolutionary because the launch event had amazing special effects and a dynamic speaker."
  In this case, the product is being judged based on the impressive presentation rather than its actual features and benefits.

• Elegant Writing: "The book must be accurate and insightful because it is beautifully written with sophisticated language."
  The book's quality is being assessed based on its writing style, not on the accuracy and depth of its content.
• Attractive Packaging: "This supplement must be effective because the packaging is sleek and professional-looking."
  The effectiveness of the supplement is being assumed based on its packaging, rather than scientific evidence of its benefits.

Recognizing the style over substance fallacy helps in critically evaluating arguments based on their merits rather than being swayed by superficial elements. It's essential to look beyond the presentation and focus on the actual evidence and reasoning to determine the validity of a claim.