Fallacies of Logic / Discussion

This is the discussion related to the wiki page Fallacies of Logic.

Misleading fallacies and illogical arguments :0

Michael C. Emmert (guest) 10 May 2010 22:52

Always interesting to see the logical fallacies and misleading arguments. Everybody uses them sometimes. Sometimes by mistake. Sometimes not.

Of course, this list cannot be complete. There are thousands of these. Cable news is inventing new ones all the time.

Some cable news channels have perfected the technique of talking while the guest is trying to make a point. I don't see that covered. How about "Argumentum ad Hitlerium"?

A lot of times I don't know if the cable channels are deliberately using logical fallacies or are just plain rude. They invite guests onto their shows with advanced university degrees and then ask them something completely off the wall that has nothing to do with what they're there for. I think newscasters do it for "shock value". In other words, to distract the viewer's attention from the distinguished guest to their own personalities. As in, "Gotcha!!"

OK, who's the news? The newscaster or the guest? If it's the newscaster, then why even have a guest on his show?

It gets ratings. What a sad commentary on contemporary Western civilization.

Plato "discovered" logical fallacies and misleading arguments. Then, instead of using the knowlege to enlighten debates, he told his students to use them as weapons against the "lower classes". I don't know why he's considered such a smart philosopher; this teaching was the instruction in spreading idiocy. Plato was WRONG. You're supposed to AVOID logical fallacies and misleading arguments. Calling somebody for using these and then using them yourself is just disrespect, especially in this internet age where anybody can look up Plato's "secret".

I sure wish we could see some more civilized discourse in our society. I think not using logical fallacies is called, "being polite". People used to be taught "manners". I'd sure like to see a return to that value for our society.

Re: Misleading fallacies and illogical arguments :0

Astrogeek 11 May 2010 03:26

Hi Mike;

I like to keep a reference list around for my own use (well, technically my own 'un-use', since I try to avoid them). There are much more complete lists out there, like the ones on Nizkor or the Fallacy Files.

I never knew that about Plato. Thanks for that tidbit.

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"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind

Re: Misleading fallacies and illogical arguments :0

UndeadxNurse 11 May 2010 13:30

Realistically, our species is child-like in nature. When we don't have a valid argument, or when we can't simply turn the other cheek, we result in violence. Compared to other species, we are the most violent and most destructive species to exist, if we're willing to send a missile to an unsuspecting target simply because of a political or religious debate, why would we be civilized in the areas of conversing, or even band together to better our society, rather than worsen it?

Granted, I'd love to meet someone who has some common-sense, a brain and some manners, but I simply don't see anyone in this current generation making that transition into a more civilized, respectful individual. Everyone is too worried about their "turf" and their belongings (i.e; stereo, car, etc.)

I've never been the type to agree with anything from a religion, but when it comes to the deadly sins of mankind, you really don't have to be religious, or even spiritual to agree that those sins truly are deadly and those sins are what the current generations are experiencing, the two sins in particular are greed and envy.

Being polite is definitely a value that seems to have gotten lost somewhere over the years, I could be as polite as possible to someone, but in return they would spit in my face. For me, at least, the only difference now is that I've learned to spit back in their face and walk away while maintaining my values.

Over time, we've become too involved in selfish activities to consider doing something that's selfless.
Right now, it's all about money, power and "the next big thing", or rather "the next top model!"

But, what do I know? Next year, we could turn things around. (No, I don't really believe that we can)

The news (in general) is sort of like a machine, a machine with only one purpose and that purpose is to consume and grow, like a parasite. The news only cares about itself, nothing or no one else.

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