MENTAL MODEL · M3096

Tu Quoque

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

Tu quoque, literally "you, too", is a rhetorical technique that intends to discredit the opponent's argument by attacking the opponent's own personal behaviour and actions as being inconsistent with their argument, so that the opponent appears hypocritical. This specious reasoning is a special type of ad hominem attack. The Oxford English Dictionary cites John Cooke's 1614 stage play The Cittie Gallant as the earliest known use.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

A type of informal fallacy that appeals to hypocrisy: using "you do it too" or "you said it too" to negate the opponent's criticism of one's behavior. It shifts the topic from "whether the accusation is valid" to "whether the accuser is consistent," using the opponent's flaws to derail the argument, but the opponent's hypocrisy does not change the truth or falsity of the original point.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

When hearing a "you too" rebuttal, recognize it as a diversion rather than a response
bring the discussion back to whether the original claim itself is reasonable (a doctor's smoking habit does not negate the harm of smoking)
when arguing for yourself, avoid using the opponent's faults to replace reasoning
demand that the opponent respond to the substance directly.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoqueZH · Explicit
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