MENTAL MODEL · M12147

Tu Quoque

StructureHigh supportLogic

Included

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 an early example.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Tu quoque (Latin for "you too") avoids directly responding to the opponent's argument by accusing them of inconsistency or similar faults. It shifts the focus from "whether the proposition is true" to "whether the proposer is hypocritical," constituting a fallacy of attacking the person rather than the argument.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

When the opponent responds with "you yourself also...", recognize that they have not refuted your substantive point
Bring the discussion back to the argument itself: "My conduct does not affect the truth of this argument"
If the opponent's accusation is true, admit it but still maintain your point, handling the two issues separately
When receiving feedback, focus on "whether what is said is correct, not who says it."

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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