Reductio Ad Hitlerum Fallacy Examples in Media, Real Life, Politics, News & Ads

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Fallacy

What Is Reductio Ad Hitlerum Fallacy?

The reductio ad Hitlerum is a fallacy in which an opponent’s argument is compared to that of Adolf Hitler or Nazism. This fallacy can also be used as a form of guilt by association, where one associates the ideas of someone else with those of Adolf Hitler or Nazi Germany without justification for doing so.

Reductio ad hitlerum means that the person or thing being criticized is compared to Adolf Hitler, and thus becomes evil in the critic’s eyes.

The dictator Adolf Hitler was known for his propaganda and use of fear tactics to control the German people. He was a controversial figure in history.

On the one hand, he brought Germany out of its financial crisis and unified the country. However, his policies were ruthless and are considered by some to be downright immoral.

When you look at Adolf Hitler’s legacy as a leader of Germany during World War II through the lens of ethical philosophy that focuses on making moral judgments about right or wrong behavior, we see how hitlerum has affected people and society at large.

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Examples

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Examples in Commercial

Examples of Reductio Ad Hitlerum in Commercial:

The dictator Adolf Hitler was known for his propaganda and use of fear tactics to control the German people.

In this commercial, the advertiser tries to make a point by comparing their product with that of Adolf Hitler’s.

This is an example of reductio ad hitlerum because it compares one thing to another in order to highlight its flaws.

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Real Life Examples

Examples of Reductio Ad Hitlerum in Real Life:

For example, “The idea that we should not have universal health care because it would cost too much money and people will abuse the system sounds just like something Adolf Hitler would say.”

Other examples of reductio ad hitlerum statements:

•  The claim that the person is a fascist because they have similar opinions to Hitler.
•  The claim that the person is a racist because they are white.
• The claim that the person is sexist because they are male

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Examples in Media

Examples of Reductio Ad Hitlerum in Media: 

• Hitler was a vegetarian, so vegetarians are bad people.
• Hitler killed Jews, so anyone who kills Jews is a good person.
•  Hitler loved dogs, so dog lovers are bad people.
• Hitler was a vegetarian, so that means vegetarians are Nazis.
• The Holocaust happened because of the Jews, so that means all Jews are bad people.
• We should ban Muslims from entering our country because they’re terrorists.
• Donald Trump wants to build a wall around Mexico and deport 11 million Mexicans, so he must be racist.

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Examples in Advertising

Reductio Ad Hitlerum in Advertising: 

An example of reductio ad hitlerum is when the advertiser tries to make a point by comparing their product with that of Adolf Hitler’s or Hitler’s regime.

In this commercial, the advertiser tries to make a point by comparing their product with that of Adolf Hitler’s. This is an example of reductio ad hitlerum because it compares one thing to another in order to highlight its flaws.

Reductio Ad Hitlerum Examples in Politics

Examples of Reductio Ad Hitlerum in Politics:

When politicians attack their opponents by comparing them to Hitler, when politicians’ political views are attacked, they will lead to the same atrocities as Hitler.

When people use an example of something bad in history, such as Nazism or Communism, it will happen again if we don’t do something.

Related: Reductio Ad Absurdum Examples