A private exception

Special pleading applies a rule to other people and quietly exempts the speaker, without a relevant difference. The exemption is often disguised as a unique circumstance that is never defined. A cousin of this is a standard drawn so that only one behaviour can pass it: if you cared, you would have done this exact thing. Ask what the rule is, who it covers, and what difference is supposed to justify the exception. If the difference is only 'because it is me', the rule was not a rule.

Fallacy

Special pleading

Special pleading applies a rule to others and exempts your own case without a relevant difference. An exception can be fair if the difference is stated and it matters. “Because it is mine” is not a difference that matters.

Open the full card

Mini check

A friend says, "If you cared about the team, you would stay late." You did not stay late. They conclude you do not care. Which assumption links the two?

Staying late is taken as the only way you could show care.The team is taken never to practise in the morning.Care is taken to be measured only by goals someone scores.You are taken to have stayed late in some earlier year.

Try it today

Notice one rule you apply to someone else today, and ask whether you would accept it aimed at you.

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