What is cherry picking in an argument?
Asked by: Sean Baumbach | Last update: February 18, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (16 votes)
Cherry picking in an argument is a logical fallacy where someone deliberately selects only the evidence that supports their viewpoint while ignoring or omitting facts, data, or cases that contradict it, creating a misleading impression of the overall situation to unfairly persuade others. It's like picking only the perfect, ripe cherries from a tree and pretending they represent the whole harvest, even if most are bruised or unripe.
What is an example of a cherry picking argument?
Explanation: Resumes are a classic example of cherry picking information. A resume can be seen as an argument as to why you are qualified for the job. Most employers are wise enough to know that resumes are one-sided and look for more evidence in the form of interviews and recommendations to make a decision.
How is cherry picking used in arguments?
In argumentation. In argumentation, the practice of "quote mining" is a form of cherry picking, in which the debater selectively picks some quotes supporting a position (or exaggerating an opposing position) while ignoring those that moderate the original quote or put it into a different context.
What are some examples of cherry picking?
Cherry picking is the selective reporting of research or data. This can range from a scientist not using all their data to inform their conclusions to individuals and organisations selecting only the data and research that supports their point of view. Another example of cherry picking is the use of anecdotes.
What is the concept of cherry picking?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines cherry picking as “selecting the best or most desirable” or, describing one idiom with another, “taking the pick of the litter.” The term is used to describe both buyer and seller behavior. Sometimes the phrase describes sellers who are selective about which customers they serve.
"This Is A Classic Case Of Cherry Picking" Senior Advocate's Argument On Governor's Arbitrary Powers
What is the meaning of cherry 🍒 in texting?
Here are some common interpretations: Playfulness or Flirtation: The cherry emoji is often used in a playful or flirty manner, suggesting attraction or a lighthearted vibe. Sweetness: Cherries are sweet fruits, so the emoji can symbolize something sweet or cute, possibly indicating affection.
Is cherry picking a negative term?
Cherry picking as a term is quite negative, as it implies that the person doing the cherry picking is trying to deceive the audience, or simply does not care about the facts. When applied to subjects like medicine and science, cherry picking is considered "bad science". or a sign of pseudoscience.
What is cherry picking in conversation?
The cherrypicking fallacy is the tendency to choose evidence that supports an argument while ignoring that which disputes it.
What is another word for cherry picking?
to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities cherry-picked the spacious corner office for his corporate fief. selecting. choosing.
What is another word for cherry picking fallacy?
Cherry picking (suppressed evidence, incomplete evidence, argument by half-truth, fallacy of exclusion, card stacking, slanting) – using individual cases or data that confirm a particular position, while ignoring related cases or data that may contradict that position.
Do you need to commit after cherry picking?
Cherry-picking without committing directly
If you would like to make some further modifications, you can also instruct Git to only add the commit's changes to your Working Copy - without directly committing them. This is where the -n or --no-commit option comes in handy.
How to get out of cherry picking?
When and how to abort cherry-pick
- Complex conflicts: The conflicts are too complex or the cherry-pick was initiated incorrectly.
- Incorrect commits: The wrong commit was chosen for cherry-picking.
- Strategic changes: Changes in development strategy might require stopping the cherry-pick.
How to identify a straw man argument?
To identify a straw man argument, watch for someone misrepresenting your actual point as an exaggerated, oversimplified, or extreme version, and then attacking that distorted "straw man" instead of your real argument. Look for key signs like a mismatch between the original claim and the response, lack of nuance, extreme language (always/never), or phrases like "so you're saying," indicating a diversion to an easier-to-refute fabrication.
How to identify cherry picking?
Sweet cherries should be tasted to see if they are ready to pick, while sour cherries will come off the stems when they are ripe enough to be harvested. So pick a ripe-looking cherry from your tree and give it a taste. A ripe sweet cherry will be sugary and juicy, whereas ripe tart cherries are soft and sour.
What are the 12 logical fallacies?
Twelve common logical fallacies include Ad Hominem (attacking the person), Straw Man (misrepresenting an argument), False Dilemma (oversimplifying to two choices), Hasty Generalization (jumping to conclusions), Slippery Slope (assuming a chain reaction), Appeal to Authority/Emotion/Pity/Popularity (using irrelevant influence), Red Herring (distraction), Circular Reasoning/Begging the Question (assuming the conclusion), Post Hoc (false cause), and Equivocation (using ambiguous words), all of which weaken arguments by relying on faulty reasoning instead of evidence.
What does 🍒 mean in slang?
In slang, the 🍒 (cherries) emoji often represents breasts, buttocks, or testicles, due to their paired shape, or signifies a committed relationship/best friends when two are shown together (connected stems), but it can also mean virginity, something pristine/new, or even a small win on a slot machine.
How do you say "cherry pick" professionally?
Synonyms of cherry-picked
- selected.
- select.
- favorite.
- preferred.
- handpicked.
- chosen.
- favored.
- picked.
What is the cherry picking rule?
This is known as the “cherry-picking” rule. Underpinning this rule is the need to prevent a party from choosing to rely upon (by disclosing) favourable aspects of its otherwise privileged material, while avoiding disclosing less favourable aspects by continuing to assert LPP over documents or parts of them.
What are the five signs that someone is lying?
Five common signs someone might be lying include vague or overly detailed speech, inconsistent body language (like fidgeting or touching their face/mouth), avoiding eye contact or making too much contact, changes in vocal patterns (pitch, speed), and defensive or evasive answers that don't address the core question, but remember, these aren't foolproof and context matters.
What are common cherry pick mistakes?
Overreaching. Overreaching is a common mistake people make when using a cherry picker. This can occur when operators attempt to reach objects that are too far away from the access platform. When operators reach too far, they risk losing their balance and falling, or causing the cherry picker to tip over.
What is the ad ignorantiam fallacy?
Argumentum ad ignorantiam, or the appeal to ignorance, is a logical fallacy claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false, or false because it hasn't been proven true, essentially equating a lack of evidence with evidence of absence. It's a flawed argument because the absence of proof doesn't inherently validate a conclusion, and it ignores possibilities like future discoveries or unknowable facts, shifting the burden of proof unfairly.
How to counter a cherry-picked argument?
How to respond to the cherry-picking fallacy
- Identify and call it out: Point out that the argument is based on selective evidence. ...
- Present the missing evidence: Provide the omitted information or data that contradicts the cherry-picked evidence.
Do I have to push after cherry picking?
When you cherry picked all the commits you need, the only thing left to do is push your branch with git push . You now have the changes of another branch available on your own branch with the correct attribution to the person who wrote that piece of code. Of course there's more you can do with this cherry-pick command.
Is cherry picking ethical?
Cherry picking is not only dishonest and misleading to the public, but it reduces the credibility of experimental findings because it does not present all the results of an experiment. This can make it seem like an experiment was entirely successful when it fact it was not.