Logical Fallacies Part 2 (old stuff #6)

"In order to avoid logical fallacies, we need to  know a little about them. When we know what they look like, then  perhaps we can avoid them." In this post I am hoping cover the slippery slope, complex question, and "appeals" to force, pity, consequences, popularity, and ignorance (to name a few).

The slippery slope aims to show that a particular proposition is untrue based on an increasingly unacceptable set of events that would follow. The idea is that if we take one step down a path, that it will set off a chain reaction ending in some sort of dire consequences. The assertion is that one cannot stop at any point once a single decision is made down a "slope". This assertion that you cannot stop at any point down the "slope" generally does not meet what we know of reality since we constantly stop at various points on the "slope". The other problem with the slippery slope is that there is not generally enough evidence to support the unlikely set of consequences. An example would be, "If I make an exception for you, then I would have to make an exception for everyone." Now unless you are unique, you realize that you can make an exception for one person, and not for someone else. If you find yourself saying if A then B, if B then C, if C then D, etc... then you need to make sure that your chain of events is reasonable. This can be a little tricky to spot, but ask yourself, "Have I ever seen this chain of events individually? or Have I ever seen this chain of events as a whole?" If you cannot answer yes, or the dire set of consequences seem improbable, then it probably is a slippery slope.

The complex question is an attempt to tie two otherwise unrelated points together in an attempt to treat them as a single position or statement. A person is made to accept both positions or reject both positions when in reality one may be true while the other is not. It can also be seen as a question that asserts something as true while asking a question. One example is "Have you stopped beating your wife?" This question cannot be answered without giving credence to the assertion that you beat your wife. Another example is "Do you support freedom and the right to bear arms?" This question is meant to be answered as a single proposition, but the illegitimate use of "and" combines two unrelated points together in an attempt coerce someone to accept or reject them both.

Finally, there are the "appeals." Appeal to force essentially says, "You will believe 'xyz' or you will be fired/imprisoned/pummeled." The appeal to pity sounds something like, "You do not like this essay that I spent so much of my limited time on?" It is an attempt to get someone to fall in line essentially using guilt manipulation. The appeal to consequences states, "If we allow this, then our culture will be changed. We should stop them!" The appeal to popularity is an argument that is based on the assertion that lots of people believe it, and therefore must be correct. The appeal to ignorance states, "There really is not that much evidence out there, so you should just believe what I am telling you." Now while I have named multiple "appeals", this list is not all inclusive and there are many more out there. I would encourage you to do a little self study in order to increase your ability to spot them.

My point is that when an assertion is not backed up with valid logic (the conclusion follows from the premise) and does not reflect reality, then you might need to reflect on what you know of logical fallacies. Is there a violation of logic, and in what way? A true worldview or premise will not contradict itself, it will fit the facts of life/experience, and will be something you can live with.

​I encourage right thinking because I encourage searching for the truth. I encourage searching for the truth because I believe truth can be found in and through Jesus who stated, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." His words offer us a new way of being and living, and when you seek the truth you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul."