# 27. Rhetorical manipulation ## 27.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 27.5.4. Content Manipulation #### 27.5.4.15. Pragmatic fallacy This is the rhetorical manipulative technique which argues that an assertion is true because it "works". In this sense "works" means something like "I'm satisfied with it," "I feel better," "I find it beneficial, meaningful, or significant," or "It explains things for me." For instance, many people claim that astrology works, acupuncture works, chiropractic works, homeopathy works, numerology works, palmistry works, therapeutic touch works. What 'works' means here is vague and ambiguous. At the least, it means that one perceives some practical benefit in believing that it is true, despite the fact that the utility of a belief is completely independent of its truth. The pragmatic fallacy is common in "alternative" health claims and is often based on post hoc reasoning. For example, someone has a sore back; they wear the new magnetic belt and find relief soon afterwards. They then declare that the magic belt caused the pain to go away. How does one know this? Because it works. ***Parent:** [[Content Manipulation]]*