Topic sentence follows:
:evil: The argumentation during this thread was at times – disgusting! :evil:
By way of my angry reaction, I have several favors to ask:
(A.) Read the list of fallacies of argumentation following this post.
(B.) Re-read this entire thread – start to finish.
(C.) Correlate (A.) and (B.) above.
(D.) Select the firebrand of choice and read all posts by said firebrand for the previous year. Decide for yourself if that person
(a.) habitually vents, in which case no amount of rational argumentation will accomplish anything constructive
(b.) derives a perverted pleasure from spinning people up on predictably sensitive topics
(c.) uses these threads as an underhanded way to advertise personal beliefs on a figurative shirtsleeve
(d.) is so egotistical and arrogant as to believe that everyone desperately needs to be informed at every possible opportunity of his/her personal beliefs and sneakily uses Jeepz dot com primarily to that end
(e.) some or all of the above
(f.) has something worthwhile to discuss and can be relied upon to forcefully yet respectfully argue his/her point of view without repeatedly resorting to the low/no class use of fallacies-2 through -18 and the despicable use of fallacy-1.
Draw your own conclusions.
My conclusions, after completing (A.) through (D.), above:
Some of us never learn and therefore will always be played the fool as adroitly as Yo-Yo Ma plays the cello.
Some Jeepzsters have an extraordinarily high I-Q (Intelligence Quotient). Sadly, in a few cases, that high IQ is more than negated by an equally high A-Q (A@@holeness Quotient).
This crap needs to stop.
These threads all too often end on a “lets-all-do-kissy-face-and-agree-to-disagree†note, or a “we-really-should-stop-doing-this†note. Problem solved until, of course, the next time. (The sincerity of the apologies is such that one can almost hear Eddie Haskell saying, “Good morning Mrs. Cleaver. That is a lovely dress you are wearing today.â€)
This crap needs to stop.
This crap is slowly and surely destroying the camaraderie once upon a time almost palpable at Jeepz dot com. I am saddened by the deterioration.
This is a classic case of “a few bad apples…..â€
This crap needs to be stopped.
I am not the owner of this board. The self-anointed pundits of everything should be thankful.
Were I the owner of this board, I would have long ago summarily dispatched a few of our would-be pundits on a one-way trip to I-NET BLOG-LAND, where they belong -- for the good of the many at the expense of the few.
Regards,
Let the chips fall where they might, Gadget
============================================
1. Ad hominem - Attacking the individual instead of the argument.
A. Example: You are so stupid you argument couldn't possibly be true.
B. Example: I figured that you couldn't possibly get it right, so I ignored your comment.
2. Appeal to force - The hearer is told that something bad will happen to him if he does not accept the argument.
A. Example: If you don't want to get beat up, you will agree with what I say.
B. Example: Convert or die.
3. Appeal to pity - The hearer is urged to accept the argument based upon an appeal to emotions, sympathy, etc.
A. Example: You owe me big time because I really stuck my neck out for you.
B. Example: Oh come on, I've been sick. That's why I missed the deadline.
4. Appeal to the popular - the hearer is urged to accept a position because a majority of people hold to it.
A. Example: The majority of people like soda. Therefore, soda is good.
B. Example: Everyone else is doing it. Why shouldn't you?
5. Appeal to tradition - trying to get someone to accept something because it has been done or believed for a long time.
A. Example: This is the way we've always done it. Therefore, it is the right way.
B. Example: The Catholic church's tradition demonstrates that this doctrine is true.
6. Begging the Question - Assuming the thing to be true that you are trying to prove. It is circular.
A. Example: God exists because the Bible says so. The Bible is inspired. Therefore, we know that God exists.
B. Example: I am a good worker because Frank says so. How can we trust Frank? Simple. I will vouch for him.
7. Cause and Effect - assuming that the effect is related to a cause because the events occur together.
A. Example: When the rooster crows, the sun rises. Therefore, the rooster causes the sun to rise.
B. Example: When the fuel light goes on in my car, I soon run out of gas. Therefore, the fuel light causes my car to run out of gas.
8. Circular Argument - see Begging the Question.
9. Division - assuming that the what is true of the whole is true for the parts.
A. Example: That car is blue. Therefore, its engine is blue.
B. Example: Your family is weird. That means that you are weird too.
10. Equivocation - The same term is used in an argument in different places but the word has different meanings.
A. Example: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Therefore, a bird is worth more than President Bush.
B. Example: Evolution states that one species can change into another. We see that cars have evolved into different styles. Therefore, since evolution is a fact in cars, it is true in species.
11. False Dilemma - Two choices are given when in actuality there could be more choices possible.
A. Example: You either did knock the glass over or you did not. Which is it?
B. Example: Do you still beat your wife?
12. Genetic Fallacy - The attempt to endorse or disqualify a claim because of the origin or irrelevant history of the claim
A. Example: The Nazi regime developed the Volkswagen Beetle. Therefore, you should not by a VW Beetle because of who started it.
B. Example: Frank's just got out of jail last year and since it was his idea to start the hardware store, I can't trust him.
13. Guilt by Association - Rejecting an argument or claim because the person proposing it likes someone is disliked by another.
A. Example: Hitler liked dogs. Therefore dogs are bad.
B. Example: Your friend is a thief. Therefore, I cannot trust you.
14. Non Sequitur - Comments or information that do not logically follow from a premise or the conclusion.
A. Example: We know why it rained today, because I washed my car.
B. Example: I don't care what you say. We don't need any more bookshelves. As long as the carpet is clean, we are fine.
15. Poisoning the well - Presenting negative information about a person before he/she speaks so as to discredit the person's argument.
A. Example: Frank is pompous, arrogant, and thinks he knows everything. So, let's hear what Frank has to say about the subject.
B. Example: Don't listen to him because he is a loser.
16. Red Herring - The introduction of a topic not related to the subject at hand.
A. Example: I know your car isn't working right. But, if you had gone to the store one day earlier, you'd not be having problems.
B. Example: I know I forgot to deposit the check into the bank yesterday. But, nothing I do pleases you.
17. Special Pleading (double standard) - Applying a different standard to another that is applied to oneself.
A. Example: You can't possibly understand menopause because you are a man.
B. Example: Those rules don't apply to me since I am older than you.
18. Straw Man Argument - Producing an argument to attack that is a weaker representation of the truth.
A. Example: The government doesn't take care of the poor because it doesn't have a tax specifically to support the poor.
B. Example: We know that evolution is false because we did not evolve from monkeys.
