LOGIC. THE FALLACY OF PROVING A NEGATIVE. PT 1.

This FALLACY Takes Different Forms, and can be Referred to by 

Several Different Names.

However, the Basic Flaw that is at the Core of the Fallacy Remains 

the Same.  It may be the Most Common Type of Reasoning Error 

that most people will ever come across, and the Hint of Desperation

that it gives off when used is Almost Immediately Apparent.

To Illustrate, here is an Example that My 

Readers may have Encountered;

Two Friends are having Coffee, and Discussing last 

Nights TV PROGRAMMING:

PERSON #1-  "Did you see that show on last night 

about UFOs possibly being Piloted by Alien Beings 

from another Solar System?  It was Incredible, because

at the end of the Show, Those who believe that it's True

couldn't produce One Single Piece of Solid and Testable

Evidence that could be Properly Evaluated.  They Rely on 

Anecdotal Testimony and Legends, that don't do anything

to Add Credibility to Their Opinions on the Subject."

PERSON #2-  "So What?  I Saw the same show, and the 

Opposing Side Couldn't Prove that Aliens weren't visiting the 

Earth.  Everyone knows that Worlds Leaders are covering up

such information, so that regular people won't Panic."

PERSON #1-  "If that's True, how come Those who believe in 

such a Cover- Up, don't Provide the Rest of us with Evidence 

that it is Occurring Now, and In the past."

PERSON #2-  "Isn't it Obvious?  All Such Evidence is Destroyed

Immediately, so that the Rest of Us cannot find out about the Truth."

JUST WHAT CAN WE TAKE FROM SUCH A CONVERSATION, AND

WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT?

LOOK FOR PART 2.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 5.

Joining a Gym or a Health Club may be the right thing for you, but remember;

-  They are there for a reason, and the Members are also there for a reason.  Don't 

join one as an opportunity for socializing, and filling up your social calendar.

-  Depending on the time of day you work out, be prepared to share or, "WORK IN", to Exercise Apparatus/Machines.  If time is limited, you may want to schedule your visits to Off-Hours, when there are fewer members utilizing the facilities.

Also, make sure you have a Clean and Dry Towel at the start of your workout.  No one wants to Sit on, Lie on, or Handle anything covered in your sweat.  

-  Under no Circumstances, sign a long term contract.  A change of Job, or moving to a different city, may leave you with a membership that is essentially valueless.

Forget the "ONCE IN A LIFETIME OFFER."  That is nothing but hot air.  The competition is so great to attract new members, you can find a membership to suit your needs just about anywhere.

In addition, if you are not familiar with the dynamics of a Physical Fitness Center or Gym, you may become uncomfortable working out around others. This means you may end up paying Fees or Dues, to a business you no longer use.  

One more thing, the Trainer talking to you about the special membership, or offering one on one work out sessions, bases much of their income on commissions that are earned by getting you to sign on the dotted line. There is nothing inherently immoral or illegal about this, just be aware of what your getting yourself into.

HOWEVER, BE VERY CAREFUL IF OFFERED SPECIAL "SUPPLEMENTS" FOR SALE AT A DISCOUNT PRICE.  There is a lucrative Black Market for these items, and just because someone is employed at a Gym, doesn't make them qualified to give you Health Advice.

LOOK FOR PT 6.

Date-  11/10/2014.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. HOMEOPATHY- MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THE IRRATIONAL. PT 3.

One of the most enduring and improbable "Truths" that are part of Homeopathy, is the "Law of Infinitesimals".  This basically claims that the greater the dilution, the more likely a cure for the given illness or disease.

Chemically, any substance diluted to a certain extent will become unidentifiable in Lab tests. This can be found on Homeopathic Products that list dilutions greater then 24X. 

Even if we were to accept that certain prepared concoctions  containing measurable amounts of the curative substance could be of some benefit, how could the lack of any identifiable molecular presence within the remedy possibly help anyone? 

Well, Homeopathy has the answer, and it is ludicrous.  By properly agitating, mixing or stirring each stage of dilution, the original substance contained in the initial solution will imprint an "essence" of its' original chemical identity upon each new "Cure."  This means that each subsequent remedy has a "Memory" of a substance that cannot be measured or identified.  Further, that each time this is done, a positive outcome becomes even more inevitable.

In other words,these Homeopathic products are "POSSESSED" by the spirit of the original substance meant to treat a particular Disease or Sickness.  I am not making this up.

I could go on, but explaining every irrational idea put forth by Homeopathy is beyond the scope of this article.

For a much more in depth explanation of Homeopathy and its history I recommend the Internet site- Quackwatch- Stephen Barrett, M.D. Article- Homeopathy: The Ultimate Fake.

WORTHWHILE OR WORTHLESS- A CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. HOMEOPATHY- MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THE IRRATIONAL. PT 2.

What is really incredible about the practice of Homeopathy, is the lack of any reasonable explanation on why or how it could possibly be of benefit to anyone. (Apart from the Placebo Affect.)

To illustrate, let us examine a core belief that is part of the Homeopathic System.

Law of Similars- That once a person exhibits the symptoms of a certain illness or disease, they should be administered a small dose of the toxin that caused the sickness. Such treatments are claimed to result in a "Cure", that will return the patient to good health.

This is often compared to the inoculations that are administered today.  However, there is no comparison. Properly prepared vaccines deliver a very small dose of the toxins that cause the malady.  This is done to stimulate the human bodies immune system to build up resistance that will eliminate susceptibility to the given disease. This procedure is done to prevent someone from contracting the illness.

This is the exact opposite when receiving Homeopathic Treatment.  Modern acceptable medical procedures are geared to preventing one from falling victim to disease.  Homeopathy treats the illness AFTER IT HAS BEEN CONTRACTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL. 

Not only have Homeopathic Practitioners failed to produce testable results that show that such a practice is beneficial, they also cannot provide a reasonable explanation on how the treatment could possibly be effective.

Date-  2/12/2014.

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