What is it?
A relevance fallacy occurs when someone introduces information that seems related to the argument but actually has no logical connection to the conclusion. It distracts from the actual issue by focusing on irrelevant points.
Examples
Person A: 'The candidate can't be qualified for office because they had a speeding ticket 10 years ago.'
Person B: 'This scientific theory can't be true because the scientist who proposed it had personal problems.'
How to Avoid This
Ensure that all points in your argument logically connect to your conclusion. Ask yourself if each piece of information actually supports your point or is merely tangentially related.
How to Counter This
Point out the irrelevance: 'That information doesn't actually relate to the issue we're discussing. Let's focus on factors that directly impact the question at hand.'