What is it?
An association fallacy occurs when someone argues that because two things share some quality, they must share other qualities as well. It assumes that characteristics transfer between associated things without evidence.
Examples
Person A: 'That politician was endorsed by a criminal, so they must be corrupt too.'
Person B: 'Einstein believed in God, and he was a genius, so belief in God must be intelligent.'
How to Avoid This
Evaluate each person, idea, or thing on its own merits rather than by its associations. Consider whether there's actual evidence for a causal or logical connection between the shared qualities.
How to Counter This
Point out that association doesn't imply similarity in all aspects: 'Just because these things share one characteristic doesn't mean they share others. We need to evaluate each claim independently.'