The rhetorical move of accusing someone of being "biased" as a way of dismissing their arguments without engagement. The accusation positions the target as incapable of objectivity, their views as mere prejudice. The fallacy lies in using the accusation as a refutation—as if demonstrating bias (which you haven't actually demonstrated) proves the arguments are wrong. But biased people can make correct arguments; bias doesn't automatically invalidate claims. The accusation functions to avoid engagement by attacking the person's epistemic character.
"I presented evidence about the effectiveness of a social program. Response: 'You're clearly biased—you work in that field.' That's You-Are-Biased Fallacy. Maybe I am biased; that doesn't make the evidence wrong. Engage the evidence, or admit you're not interested. Using bias as a dismissal is just ad hominem with a social science vocabulary."
by Dumu The Void February 28, 2026
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