fallacy

Middle ground fallacy

Also called: Argument to moderation, False compromise

The middle ground fallacy assumes that the truth must lie between two opposing positions.

How it works

Compromise is often useful in negotiation, but facts are not negotiable. If one position is wrong, splitting the difference produces an answer that is half wrong.

Examples

"One side says the bridge is safe, the other says it will collapse, so it's probably somewhat unsafe."

Only an engineering assessment can settle the question; averaging opinions cannot.

"Some say the earth is 4.5 billion years old, others say 6,000. The truth is probably in between."

The evidence overwhelmingly supports one answer.

How to spot it

"The truth is somewhere in the middle."
Extreme positions are used to make a moderate one look reasonable.
Evidence is replaced by averaging.

How to respond

Ask what the evidence supports, regardless of where the positions sit.
Note that someone can move the middle by taking an extreme position.
Use compromise for decisions about interests, not for questions of fact.