Tu Quoque: The 'You Too' Deflection

How Tu Quoque Works

The structure is simple: Person A criticizes Person B's behavior or position. Person B responds by pointing out that Person A does the same thing (or something similarly objectionable). The implication is that A's criticism is invalid because A is a hypocrite.

'You should not smoke -- it is terrible for your health.' Tu quoque response: 'You smoke too!' Even if this is true, it does not make the health argument wrong. Smoking is unhealthy regardless of who says so. The respondent has deflected from the substance of the argument to the character of the arguer.

Tu quoque is a specific form of ad hominem because it attacks the person (by pointing out hypocrisy) rather than addressing the argument. But it feels more legitimate than a direct personal attack because it seems to identify a genuine inconsistency.

Why Hypocrisy Does Not Invalidate Arguments

A hypocrite's argument can be perfectly valid and sound. If a liar says '2 + 2 = 4,' it is still true. If a corrupt politician argues that corruption is wrong, the argument is still logically correct. The truth value of a proposition does not depend on the moral character of the person stating it.

Hypocrisy is a moral failing, not a logical one. It may legitimately reduce our trust in someone's sincerity or commitment, but it does not affect the logic of their arguments. A doctor who smokes but advises patients not to is giving good medical advice despite their personal inconsistency.

That said, hypocrisy can be legitimately relevant in certain contexts. If someone's credibility as a witness or their trustworthiness is at issue, their consistency between words and actions matters. But this is about evaluating the person, not refuting their arguments.

Responding to Tu Quoque

When someone deploys tu quoque against you, acknowledge the deflection and redirect: 'Whether or not I am consistent in this area does not change the evidence. Let us discuss the argument, not my behavior.' You can even concede the point: 'You may be right that I am inconsistent, but that does not address the argument I have made.'

If you want to address the hypocrisy charge directly, do so briefly and then return to the substance. Do not let the entire debate be derailed into a discussion of your personal behavior when the original topic was something else entirely. That is precisely what the tu quoque deflection is designed to achieve.

• •Tu quoque deflects criticism by pointing to the accuser's hypocrisy.
• •The truth of an argument is independent of whether the arguer practices what they preach.
• •Hypocrisy is a moral failing, not a logical one.
• •Respond by acknowledging the deflection and redirecting to the substance of the argument.
• •Do not let tu quoque derail a debate from the actual topic.