What is it?
An argument to moderation (also called the middle ground fallacy) occurs when someone assumes that a compromise or middle position between two extremes must be the truth, without evaluating the merits of the arguments themselves.
Examples
Person A: 'Some people say the Earth is flat, others say it's round, so it must be somewhat curved but not completely round.'
Person B: 'Since experts disagree on the exact impact of this policy, the truth must be somewhere in the middle.'
How to Avoid This
Evaluate positions based on evidence and reasoning rather than assuming moderation is always correct. Sometimes one extreme position is actually supported by the evidence.
How to Counter This
Point out that the truth isn't always in the middle: 'The middle position isn't automatically correct. We need to evaluate each position based on its evidence and reasoning.'