Debate happens here, maybe this will help.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
Debate happens here, maybe this will help.
In our house debate is a hobby, philosophy, science and reasoning itself is debated. Only once has this led to an argument and that was because we both crossed the line and rules that govern our chosen activity!
Those rules are sometimes clarified but mostly accepted because of a shared understanding of what's expected of each speaker in the debate. Neither of us expect the other to accept a fallacy and therefore neither of us are disappointed or angry when the other calls it.
An example of a fallacy is:
I've found an excellent webpage - edited by the BBC that outlines common fallacies, I think they are worth reading for anyone but ESPECIALLY anyone who is involved with debate on issues they care deeply about.
Here is the conclusion from the same page:
Reference - Logical Fallacies in Everyday Use
Being aware of these helps in giving some common ground of expectation, it can reduce frustration and allow us to evaluate better what we and others say.
I know it matters to me and helps - maybe it will help here too.
Those rules are sometimes clarified but mostly accepted because of a shared understanding of what's expected of each speaker in the debate. Neither of us expect the other to accept a fallacy and therefore neither of us are disappointed or angry when the other calls it.
An example of a fallacy is:
Single Cause
Life is complex, and people have a tendency to over-simplify, so when someone is attributing a single cause to something that has many causes, they may be committing the Single Cause fallacy.
The cause of the traffic problems in this city is old people who drive too slowly.
There are many factors in traffic congestion, including the quality of the road infrastructure, the number of people hitting the roads at any time or the likelihood of accidents happening. To attribute it to just one cause is simplistic.
Life is complex, and people have a tendency to over-simplify, so when someone is attributing a single cause to something that has many causes, they may be committing the Single Cause fallacy.
The cause of the traffic problems in this city is old people who drive too slowly.
There are many factors in traffic congestion, including the quality of the road infrastructure, the number of people hitting the roads at any time or the likelihood of accidents happening. To attribute it to just one cause is simplistic.
Here is the conclusion from the same page:
Conclusion
In any debate on the radio, on the TV, in the home, you may be subjected to a barrage of fallacies that are designed, either consciously or unconsciously, to convince you without providing proper proof. Being aware of these fallacies will help you to better understand which arguments to accept, and which to reject.
In any debate on the radio, on the TV, in the home, you may be subjected to a barrage of fallacies that are designed, either consciously or unconsciously, to convince you without providing proper proof. Being aware of these fallacies will help you to better understand which arguments to accept, and which to reject.
Being aware of these helps in giving some common ground of expectation, it can reduce frustration and allow us to evaluate better what we and others say.
I know it matters to me and helps - maybe it will help here too.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
...what seems to be common language to one seems rude,offensive and attacking to others.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,709
It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known. - Carl Sagan
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
- Albert Einstein
- Albert Einstein
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: uk
Posts: 3,054
To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.
I love what you quoted and agree with it whole heartedly, this like any other knowledge can either be used to hurt or to help. BUT I think here most people's heart is to help so I hope it is helpful.
Old and in the Way
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: High and Dry
Posts: 789
Yup. I stay away from most of the debates here because I've decided most don't really contribute to my sobriety, such as it is. They just play to my already oversized ego, and engender resentments. That's just how it is for me, not a criticism of anyone else, by the way. But I do think they'd be more productive if people started with the assumption that nothing is intentionally meant to offend. Too many of the posts I've read seem consist of volleys in which people expressing outrage or dismay that their posts were read in the most challenging or offensive way possible.
That's just a wordy way of saying I like your ground rules, Equus.
That's just a wordy way of saying I like your ground rules, Equus.
vitalsixthsense
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Frostburg, MD
Posts: 18
My Dad always told me, "It's my way or the highway." I debated it or I drank all his beer but never both. I sure saw the logical fallacies go by in everyday use. I thought we was just trying to make me mad so I would drink his beer. I definitely spent too much time fighting it. So today when I see them I just gotta laugh. The other day I told my Dad that I was depressed and he said, Your Depressed, so change your ways. Pretty funny, as I have been at least mildly depressed since I took the first drink. But I am as happy as I have ever been in the rooms of AA, and online here at SR.
Thanks
VitalSixthSense
Thanks
VitalSixthSense
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
