Mcnamara Fallacy

nounverified·updated Aug 28, 2026

GlossaryL1 — what DictionaryL2 — how used ThesaurusL3 — relations Universaleverything

presum[ing] that (A) quantitative models of reality are always more accurate than other models; (B) the quantitative measurements that can be made most easily must be the most relevant; and (C) factors other than those currently being used in quantitative metrics must either not exist or not have a significant influence on success. Also known as the quantitative fallacy.

Framework senses

2 senses across 2 frameworks

The McNamara Fallacy1 senseview framework →

§1: presum[ing] that (A) quantitative models of reality are always more accurate than other models; (B) the quantitative measurements that can be made most easily must be the most relevant; and (C) factors other than those currently being used in quantitative metrics must either not exist or not have a significant influence on success. Also known as the quantitative fallacy.

Legacy lexicon import1 senseview framework →

§1 · legacy_primary: presum[ing] that (A) quantitative models of reality are always more accurate than other models; (B) the quantitative measurements that can be made most easily must be the most relevant; and (C) factors other than those currently being used in quantitative metrics must either not exist or not have a significant influence on success. Also known as the quantitative fallacy.
DR-088 backfill from the noun definition column