Visual infographic and fallacy summary: Sunk Cost Fallacy
Definition & Logical Concept
You continue with a failing project simply because you have already invested a lot of time, effort, or money into it.
Practical Debate Example
Speaker A: „This investment has shown only losses for two years; we should end it.“
Speaker B (Fallacy): „We can't give up now! We've already put 5 million and two years of our lives into it. We must keep going!“
How to Counter & Defend
Focus on future losses: 'The 5 million is gone and won't return. Continuing will only lose us more. We must cut our losses.'
Common Synonyms & Alternative Terms
sunk cost fallacy • sunk cost fallacy • logical fallacy • debate manipulation
Psychological Mechanism: Why It Works
Averze ke ztrátě a strach z přiznání omylu nutí lidi dál investovat energii do předem ztracených věcí.
Common Debate Scenarios
- encountering sunk cost fallacy in debate
- when someone says "We can't give up now! We've already put 5 million and two ye..."
Easily Confused With
Informal logical fallacy