MORE LOGIC ARTICLES. THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT. PARTS 1-3.

  PT 1.

I Know it's Entertaining to Watch TV SHOWS that use Plot Devices that Make CERTAIN FICTIONAL CHARACTERS SEEM TO BE DEEP AND PROFOUND THINKERS, WHO ENJOY EXPOSING THE INTELLECTUAL WEAKNESSES OF OTHERS. THIS IS OFTEN DONE BY SHOWING HOW THEY ARE VIOLATING THE RULES OF LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING.

While I Applaud any Effort to Introduce RATIONAL THINKING SKILLS TO ANY PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE, (EVEN ENTERTAINMENT), THE UNFORTUNATE TRUTH IS THAT IT IS NOT ALWAYS CARRIED OVER INTO REAL LIFE SITUATIONS.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE, WHEN WE EXAMINE ISSUES DEALING WITH POLITICS, SCIENCE, AND RELIGION.

Yes, These can be Extremely Volatile and Deeply Personal Subjects, and often Elicit Purely Emotional Responses to any perceived Criticism.  However, it is These Episodes that POINT FOR THE NEED TO INTRODUCE THE DISCIPLINE OF LOGIC, AS AN EDUCATIONAL NECESSITY, AT AN EARLY AGE.

When We Compare the Three, IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE RULES OF LOGIC, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS, ARE NOT FOUND, DEVELOPED OR USED IN THE SAME WAY WHEN PEOPLE ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH EACH.

That, in itself, is not NECESSARILY A PROBLEM, OR UNDESIRABLE. EACH EXISTS FOR SPECIFIC REASONS, AND WHAT SETS THEM APART IS THE FUNCTION OR NECESSITY EACH FILLS WITHIN THE LIVES OF EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

However, Problems arise when Individuals and Groups decide to take the Beliefs and Essentials that are found in One, and Attempt to Apply them to one of the others. This is a Process that is Doomed to Failure, and does a DISSERVICE TO THE ROLE EACH PLAYS IN SOCIETY.

Date-  1/3/2016.

LOGIC.

THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT.  PT 2.

When we Discuss Educating Young People on the Practical Uses of LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING IN EVERYDAY LIFE, THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IS AN AREA OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE.  

ENCOMPASSING CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAW, THE ECONOMY, AND OTHER PARTS OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICY, ELECTING AND SUPPORTING THE MOST COMPETENT, HONEST, AND CAPABLE INDIVIDUALS IS A GOAL THAT EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD FEEL IS A RESPONSIBILITY, ONE THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

In a free and open society, POLITICIANS CAN GIVE AN OPINION ON JUST ABOUT ANY SUBJECT, USUALLY WITH LITTLE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT. However, that does not mean they know what they are Talking About, or even care, as long as there are Those who are willing to close Their Minds, and Accept What is being said at Face Value.

THIS IS MANIFESTED BY THE POLITICIAN WHO IS ADEPT AT DELIVERING A SPEECH THAT CAN LAST FOR HOWEVER LONG THEY NEED IT TO, USING WORDS AND PHRASES THAT MAY SOUND INTELLECTUAL AND INSIGHTFUL, BUT LACK ANY REAL SUBSTANCE OR MEANING.  THE BODY OF THE SPEECH IS JUST EMPTY RHETORIC, SPOKEN BY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS OR CARES LITTLE FOR THE FACTS, OR ADDRESSING REAL ISSUES WITH KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCE.

SO HOW CAN WE INSTRUCT YOUNG LOGICIANS IN IDENTIFYING THOSE POLITICIANS WHO TALK A LOT, BUT SAY LITTLE THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OF ANY VALUE?

IT IS TO TEACH THEM THAT NOT ALL POLITICAL SPEECH IS OF EQUAL WORTH, AND HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUABLE AND VALUELESS.  TO DO THIS, WE SHOULD POINT OUT THERE ARE TWO MAIN FORMS OF POLITICAL SPEECH THAT ARE USED TO SWAY VOTERS, BUT USE DECEPTION, PREJUDICE, AND A SELF-CENTERED MINDSET TO IGNORE AND AVOID PROVIDING REAL ANSWERS THAT MIGHT ACTUALLY WORK TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL AMERICANS.

THEY ARE...

-  ...THE UNSUPPORTED CONCLUSION/BASELESS ASSERTION.

                               AND

-  ...THE VAGUE/UNDEFINED MESSAGE.

LOGIC.

THE NEED TO EDUCATE, AND MAKE IT THE ENEMY OF IRRATIONAL, SELF-CENTERED, AND PSEUDO-SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT.  PT 3.

THE UNSUPPORTED CONCLUSION/BASELESS ASSERTION.

ANY STATEMENT, PHRASE,OR DECLARATION THAT IMPLIES

AN ETHICAL\MORAL, LEGAL, SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC JUDGMENT

THAT HAS NO  PROPER FOUNDATION THAT CAN WITHSTAND 

COMPREHENSIVE RATIONAL OR CRITICAL ANALYSIS.

LET US LOOK AT A FEW EXAMPLES:

"THE ECONOMY IS IN TROUBLE, WE NEED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION."

"WE ARE WEAK AS A NATION, OUR FOREIGN POLICY DOESN'T SCARE 

OUR ENEMIES."

"IF WE HAVE GUN CONTROL, ONLY THE CRIMINALS WILL HAVE THEM."

AS YOU SEE WITH THE ABOVE EXAMPLES, THEY ARE SIMPLISTIC PHRASES THAT USUALLY LACK;

-  SPECIFIC STATISTICS, AND/OR COMPARISONS WITH PAST DATA.

-  CONTEXT, OR JUSTIFICATION FOR THEIR USAGE IN SOME INSTANCES,

   AND NOT IN OTHERS.

-  AN EXPLANATION FOR THE USAGE OF INFLAMMATORY WORDS THAT CAN BE DEFINED AND USED SO AMBIGUOUSLY THAT THEY HAVE NO INTELLECTUAL VALUE, AND DO NOTHING TO EXPLAIN OR DEFINE ANY OPINION OR POINT OF FACT THAT THE SPEAKER IS TRYING TO MAKE. 

 WORDS SUCH AS- "WEAK", "SCARE", "TROUBLE", "WELFARE", 

 "CONTROL"  "DANGER", "ENEMY", "VICTIM", AND ON AND ON...   

IF YOU ARE A POLITICIAN WITH NO REAL CONCEPTION, OR DESIRE, TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE ELECTORATE AS A WHOLE, YOU TURN TO TIME-WORN PHRASES LIKE THESE. SO WHY DO THEY WORK?

WE'LL GET INTO THAT IN THE FUTURE, BUT REMEMBER THE SALESMANS

MAXIM:  

 "IT'S NOT THE DEAL THE CUSTOMERS IS GETTING THAT IS IMPORTANT, IT IS THE DEAL THEY THINK THEY ARE GETTING."

JUST SUBSTITUTE "CANDIDATE" FOR "DEAL", AND "VOTER" FOR
"CUSTOMER."

HMMMM... THE TRUE SECRET TO GETTING ELECTED?