Appeal to Tradition

Updated October 2026 · reviewed for today

In short

The appeal to tradition (argumentum ad antiquitatem) is the fallacy of arguing that a practice is right or best simply because it has always been done that way. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy lists it as the fallacy of traditional wisdom. Tradition can carry real lessons, but age alone is not evidence that a practice still works.

Table of Contents

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How it works

01

A practice is challenged

Someone proposes a change to how things are done.

02

Age is offered as proof

The reply points to how long the practice has existed instead of to its results.

03

The real test is skipped

Nobody checks whether the original reasons for the practice still apply.

Where you see it today

Resistance to AI at work

“This is how we have always run the process” is one of the most common objections to automating a step. It may be right, but only if someone can say what the step protects against.

Defaults are sticky

People tend to stick with the current option even when others are as good or better, a pattern called status quo bias (Samuelson and Zeckhauser, 1988). Tradition arguments often dress this bias up as wisdom.

Trusting the human way

People often prefer a human forecaster over an algorithm after seeing the algorithm err, even when it outperformed the human (Dietvorst et al., 2015). “We have always relied on expert judgement” can hide this algorithm aversion.

The mirror fallacy

The opposite error, the appeal to novelty, says a new AI tool is better because it is new. Both skip the same question: does it work here?

Appeal to tradition and its relatives

Appeal to tradition

What it claimsOld means right

Example"We have always printed the report, so keep printing it."

Appeal to novelty

What it claimsNew means better

Example"It is the latest model, so switch everything to it."

Appeal to the people

What it claimsPopular means right

Example"Everyone in our industry does it this way."

Sunk cost fallacy

What it claimsPast investment justifies continuing

Example"We spent years building this process."

Status quo bias

What it claimsA preference, not an argument, for the current state

ExampleKeeping the default plan without comparing options

How to spot and avoid it

• When you hear "we have always done it this way", ask what problem the practice was designed to solve.
• Check whether that problem still exists, and whether the practice still solves it.
• Before removing an old rule, find out why it was put there; some carry hidden lessons.
• Judge a new AI tool by results on your own tasks, not by its age or novelty.
• Run a small side-by-side test of the old and new way before arguing in the abstract.

The Business Engineer lens

The AI shift turns many inherited processes into choices again, and “we have always done it this way” stops being an answer. The Business Engineer asks a narrower question for each process: what does it protect, and can that be done better now?

Read: The FRED Test: Your AI Transformation Reality Check →Explore the platform →

Related: Ad populum · Bandwagon effect · Appeal to authority · Sunk cost fallacy · Circular reasoning fallacy

Frequently asked questions

What is an example of appeal to tradition?

"We should keep buying from this supplier because we always have" is one; the length of the relationship says nothing about current price or quality.

Is tradition ever a good reason?

Yes, when the tradition encodes a lesson that still applies; the fallacy is relying on age alone without checking that lesson.

What is the opposite of appeal to tradition?

The appeal to novelty, which treats something as better simply because it is new.

How does it relate to AI adoption?

It often appears as resistance to automating a long-standing process; the useful response is to test whether the process's original reasons still hold.

Sources

• Bradley Dowden, Fallacies (Traditional Wisdom; Bandwagon), Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Samuelson and Zeckhauser (1988), Status quo bias in decision making, Journal of Risk and Uncertainty
• Dietvorst, Simmons and Massey (2015), Algorithm aversion: People erroneously avoid algorithms after seeing them err, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General

The full guide

The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.

The Appeal to Tradition is a logical fallacy that occurs when an argument asserts that something is right, good, or valid solely because it has been practiced or accepted for a long time, adhering to traditional customs, beliefs, or practices. This fallacy assumes that the mere fact of tradition makes something inherently valuable or correct.

Introduction/Definition

The Appeal to Tradition, also known as the argumentum ad antiquitatem, is a cognitive bias and logical fallacy where individuals justify a belief, practice, or course of action solely because it has been practiced or believed for a long time or is deeply rooted in tradition. This type of argument is based on the assumption that the historical longevity of a practice or belief implies its validity or superiority. In essence, it suggests that “we’ve always done it this way” or “it’s been that way for generations,” and therefore, it should continue.

Key Characteristics of the Appeal to Tradition:

Key Characteristics

1. Historical Emphasis: The Appeal to Tradition centers on the historical continuity of a practice, belief, or tradition as its primary justification.
2. Resistance to Change: It often involves resistance to change or innovation, as proponents argue against altering established practices or customs.
3. Emotional Appeal: This argument can carry a strong emotional appeal, as traditions often hold sentimental or cultural value.
4. Lack of Critical Evaluation: It frequently lacks critical evaluation of whether the tradition or belief is still relevant, effective, or ethical in the present context.
5. Reliance on Anecdotes: Supporters may rely on anecdotes or historical anecdotes rather than empirical evidence to support their position.

Benefits of Understanding the Appeal to Tradition

Understanding and recognizing the Appeal to Tradition can offer several benefits in various contexts:

1. Critical Thinking: Awareness of this fallacy helps individuals think critically about the validity and relevance of long-standing practices and beliefs.
2. Innovation: It encourages openness to change and innovation when appropriate, rather than clinging to outdated methods.
3. Cultural Preservation: It acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural and historical traditions, but not at the expense of progress or ethical considerations.
4. Conflict Resolution: Recognizing the Appeal to Tradition can facilitate constructive dialogue and conflict resolution when differing viewpoints clash.
5. Ethical Decision-Making: It encourages ethical evaluation of whether traditions align with contemporary ethical standards.

Challenges and Considerations

While the Appeal to Tradition has its benefits, it also presents certain challenges and considerations:

1. Resistance to Change: Tradition can be a source of resistance to positive change, hindering progress and innovation.
2. Cultural Relativism: Different cultures have varying traditions, which can lead to cultural relativism—a belief that all traditions are equally valid—which may not always hold true.
3. Lack of Critical Evaluation: Relying solely on tradition can lead to the perpetuation of harmful or outdated practices.
4. Confirmation Bias: People may selectively emphasize the positive aspects of a tradition while ignoring its negative consequences.
5. Context Matters: Some traditions may have historical significance that outweighs their practicality in contemporary contexts.

Use Cases and Examples

To better understand how the Appeal to Tradition operates in practical scenarios, let’s explore some real-world use cases and examples:

1. Medicine and Healthcare

Example: The use of herbal remedies or traditional healing methods may be favored over modern medical treatments simply because they have been passed down through generations, even when scientific evidence supports alternative approaches.

2. Education

Example: The curriculum in schools may resist changes or updates due to the belief that traditional subjects and teaching methods are superior, despite evolving educational needs and research-based practices.

3. Religion

Example: Religious practices and rituals can be deeply rooted in tradition, and adherence to these practices is often based on the belief that they have been followed for centuries, making them inherently valid.

4. Agriculture

Example: Farming practices may continue to rely on traditional methods even when modern agricultural techniques and technologies offer higher yields and sustainability.

5. Family and Social Norms

Example: Gender roles and family structures may be rigidly upheld because they are traditional, despite evolving societal expectations and values.

6. Legal and Political Systems

Example: Legal systems in some countries may retain outdated laws and practices simply because they have existed for a long time, without considering their relevance or fairness.

Appeal to Tradition: Key Points

• Definition: The Appeal to Tradition fallacy, also known as argumentum ad antiquitatem, occurs when a belief or practice is justified solely because it’s been practiced for a long time or is deeply rooted in tradition.
• Characteristics:
  • Reliance on Tradition: Justifies a belief or practice based on its historical continuity.
  • Resistance to Change: Often resists innovation or alteration of established customs.
  • Emotional Appeal: Traditions carry sentimental or cultural value.
  • Lack of Critical Evaluation: Often lacks critical analysis of the tradition’s relevance or effectiveness.
• Benefits:
  • Critical Thinking: Encourages critical evaluation of long-standing practices.
  • Innovation: Promotes openness to change and improvement.
  • Cultural Preservation: Acknowledges the importance of preserving traditions while considering progress.
  • Conflict Resolution: Facilitates constructive dialogue when conflicting viewpoints arise.
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Encourages ethical evaluation of traditions in contemporary contexts.
• Challenges:
  • Resistance to Change: Tradition can hinder progress and innovation.
  • Cultural Relativism: Different traditions may conflict, challenging the idea of all traditions being equally valid.
  • Lack of Critical Evaluation: Can perpetuate harmful or outdated practices.
  • Confirmation Bias: Positive aspects of tradition may be emphasized while negatives are ignored.
  • Context Matters: Some traditions may not be practical in modern contexts.
• Examples:
  • Medicine and Healthcare: Herbal remedies favored over modern treatments due to tradition.
  • Education: Resistance to updating curriculum based on traditional teaching methods.
  • Religion: Religious practices upheld solely due to historical longevity.
  • Agriculture: Relying on traditional farming methods despite modern alternatives.
  • Family and Social Norms: Gender roles maintained due to traditional beliefs.
  • Legal and Political Systems: Outdated laws retained simply because of their historical existence.