This fallacy occurs when someone argues that we must continue on a course of action even though it has been proven to be a mistake. A variety of the argument from consequences, they defend “staying the course” because changing course would require admitting that they made a wrong decision – which might undermine the authority of the one making the decisions – or would take considerable money, effort, and/or resources in order to change. This fallacy can also be an appeal to tradition if long-standing customs are a part of the argument: “I don't care if the recipe is unhealthy. We’ve always done it this way, so we’re going to continue to do it.”
Examples:
Jane admits that she made the wrong decision to marry Jim, but since the wedding’s been paid for and it starts in an hour, she decides to go ahead with it.
Some have argued that the United States’ refusal to pull back from a variety of military engagements (Vietnam, Iraq) is based not on a morally superior position but from the resources and personnel invested in the actions.
Women have always earned less in America, so why bother trying to change it?
Clubbing seals is acceptable because hunters have done so for thousands of years.
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