The logical fallacy of the package deal consists of assuming that things often grouped together by tradition or culture must always be grouped that way.
It is particularly common in political arguments: "My opponent is a conservative who voted against higher taxes and welfare, therefore he will also oppose gun control and abortion." (Usually the connection is made much more implicitly.) While those positions are often grouped together as "conservative" in American politics, there is really no reason that one cannot believe in one "conservative" idea but not another.
The package deal fallacy refers to misuse of the and operator. For misuse of the or operator, see false dilemma.
Last updated: 10-17-2005 06:34:45