Appeal to Moderation: 3 Times ‘Balance’ was the Worst Choice
We’re often told that the best approach lies in the middle—“not too much, not too little.” It sounds reasonable, even wise. But what if I told you that sometimes, the so-called balanced choice is actually the worst one? Imagine a doctor recommending half a dose of antibiotics to compromise between medication and natural healing. Or a judge suggesting that a victim and their attacker share equal blame, just to seem fair. Sounds absurd, right? That’s the Appeal to Moderation fallacy in action; the belief that the middle ground is always the right answer, even when logic says otherwise. In this article delight, we’ll explore three real-world cases where choosing balance led to terrible consequences.
What Is the Appeal to Moderation Fallacy?
The Appeal to Moderation (also called the False Compromise Fallacy) is the mistaken belief that the truth must always lie somewhere in the middle of two opposing viewpoints. It assumes that extreme positions are always wrong, and the best solution is a compromise, even when one side is backed by strong evidence and the other by misinformation or flawed reasoning. By forcing a middle-ground solution, the Appeal to Moderation can weaken scientific progress, distort facts, and create false equivalence between valid and invalid arguments.
Appeal to Moderation: 3 Times ‘Balance’ was the Worst Choice
Science vs. Misinformation: When Balance Creates Confusion in Getting Vaccinated
During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists worked at unprecedented speed to develop vaccines that could curb the virus’s spread and save lives. These vaccines underwent rigorous clinical trials and were approved based on solid scientific evidence. However, some media outlets and social media platforms, in an attempt to appear neutral, gave equal coverage to both medical experts advocating for vaccines and conspiracy theorists spreading misinformation. This created the illusion that the scientific community was divided when, in reality, the vast majority of doctors and researchers strongly supported vaccination. False claims—such as the vaccine altering DNA, causing infertility, or containing microchips—spread rapidly, making people skeptical about a life-saving solution. The consequences of this false balance were severe. Countries with higher levels of misinformation saw lower vaccination rates, leading to prolonged lockdowns, overwhelmed healthcare systems, and unnecessary deaths. In some cases, public figures and politicians pushed for a “middle ground” between pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine views, suggesting that people should wait and see before getting vaccinated. This hesitation allowed new variants of the virus to emerge, making the pandemic even harder to control. The COVID-19 vaccine debate is a clear example of how treating misinformation as a legitimate perspective can have devastating real-world consequences.
Evolution vs. Creationism: False Balance in Education
For over a century, the theory of evolution, first proposed by Charles Darwin, has been supported by vast amounts of scientific evidence from genetics, fossil records, and biology. However, in some parts of the world, particularly in the religiously conservative regions, there has been a push to present creationism—the belief that life was created by a divine being. Some school boards and politicians argue that teaching both “theories” gives students a balanced perspective, but this falsely equates a scientific theory (based on testable, repeatable evidence) with a religious belief (based on faith, not empirical data). In some states, teachers have even faced pressure to “teach the controversy”, despite there being no real controversy in the scientific community. Countries that prioritize science education, such as Finland and Japan, consistently outperform others in scientific literacy. The case of evolution vs. creationism highlights how false balance in education can slow progress and weaken scientific understanding for future generations.
Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer Scare
For decades, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose have been used as sugar substitutes in diet sodas, chewing gum, and low-calorie foods. These sweeteners have been extensively studied, and major health organizations—including the FDA, WHO, and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)—have repeatedly confirmed that they are safe for human consumption within recommended limits. However, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, media outlets have often given equal coverage to alarmist claims that artificial sweeteners cause cancer, neurological issues, and metabolic disorders. Many of these claims stem from misinterpreted animal studies, where rodents were given unrealistically high doses of sweeteners, far beyond what a human would ever consume. This false balance in reporting has fueled public fear and confusion, leading some consumers to completely avoid artificial sweeteners, even when they could be a healthier alternative to excessive sugar consumption. The artificial sweetener scare is a prime example of how sensationalized narratives can override scientific consensus, and influence health choices in counterproductive ways.
Related study , Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/artificial-sweeteners-fact-sheet
Final Takeaway | Appeal to Moderation
While balance and compromise are often seen as virtues, blindly applying them to every debate can do more harm than good. Not all opposing views deserve equal weight, especially when one side is backed by rigorous evidence and the other by misinformation, fear, or ideology. Whether it’s science, health, or education, treating unsupported claims as valid alternatives only fuels confusion, weakens public trust, and delays necessary action. Next time you hear a call for “balance,” ask yourself: Is this a real debate, or is false equivalence at play? In critical matters like science, health, and education, “not compromise” is the best way forward.
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