LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #5 PT 2.

The basic definition of the Logical Fallacy TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION IS:  IF ONE PART OF A GIVEN SET OR GROUP CONTAINS, OR EXHIBITS, A SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTIC, THAN ALL OTHER PARTS MUST SHARE THE SAME CHARACTERISTIC. ( This is my definition.)

It can be used in different ways, and all of them are equally fallacious.  In fact, it's practically the motto for every form of prejudice that we encounter in daily life.

Consider the following statements;

-  "You should be careful, everyone knows how dangerous (Insert group here) are."

-   "Don't listen to him, he's a (Insert group here), and their all a bunch of crooks."

-   "A (Insert group here) Doctor?  Can't be very good, everyone knows how dumb they are."

Let's turn it around.

-  "She should marry him, everyone knows that (Insert group here) are hard workers"

-  "What did you say the name was?  Oh, that's ok then.  (Insert group here) know

all about computers."

-  "Cheated?  No way, everyone knows (Insert group here) are faithful, and would never do something like that."

Yes, the above examples seem relatively simple.  However, such judgments are usually hidden inside every day conversation, and are not always easy to spot.   

So, be careful and listen more closely when another gives an opinion that labels an entire group as having certain universal characteristics.

Because, one day, you may be in that group.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #3.

For the Truly Open- Minded Individual, when you are Reading and Considering the Evidence Presented by an Author Making Claims to Support a Specific Conclusion, ask yourself the Following Questions:

"IN ORDER FOR ME TO PROMOTE THE CONCLUSION AS FACTUAL, WHAT EVIDENCE AND ARGUMENTS MUST I ACCEPT AS TRUE?  FURTHER, AM I ACCEPTING THEM BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY CAN BE PROPERLY DEFENDED AGAINST ANY OPPOSITION, OR IS PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE JUST A SYMPTOM OF MY DESIRE THAT THE CONCLUSION BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS TRUE, WHETHER OR NOT CRITICAL ANALYSIS BACKS UP SUCH A DECISION?"

Remember, Logic and the Scientific Method are Tools for Deriving the Reality of the Subject Matter, and not a set of Opinions that Automatically Accepts Certain Claims or Assertions as True, While others are cast aside as False. To Often Believers and Promoters of the Paranormal Criticize Science for being Dogmatic, and not Open to knew Ideas. Nothing could be further from the Truth.

Think of all the Scientific Theories that we take for granted as True Today, that were Opposed and Scoffed at because LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD OR UTILIZED AT DIFFERENT PERIODS IN HUMAN HISTORY.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

-  THE LAWS OF MOTION.

-  THE BEGINNING AND  FORMATION OF THE UNIVERSE.

-  THE CAUSES AND CURES FOR DISEASE.

-  HOW LIGHT AND SOUND BEHAVE UNDER DIFFERENT 

   CONDITIONS.

-  HUMAN EVOLUTION.

ETC...

In the Above List, you have areas of Science that, until relatively

recently in HUMAN HISTORY,  VERY LITTLE WAS KNOWN ABOUT

THE MECHANISMS AND PROCESSES THAT DRIVE EACH. This didn't

change because someone stood up and declared THAT SCIENCE SUPPORTS

THESE CONCLUSIONS, AND WOULDN'T CONSIDER OTHER POSSIBILITIES.

LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD DON'T WORK THIS WAY, AND IN THE 

NEXT POST ON THIS TOPIC, WE WILL LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THESE 

DISCIPLINES, AND HOW THEIR USE HAS CHAMPIONED MANS ABILITY TO 

UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD.

Fiction-, Stories, Myths, and Legends. THE LESSON. PT 2.

'IT IS SAID THAT THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL, IS TO STAND UPON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, AND CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORKS.  IS THIS SO?"

"NO, IT IS THAT IN THE FUTURE,  THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK TO STAND UPON YOUR SHOULDERS,  AND CONTINUE YOUR GOOD WORKS." 



The Young Graduate, of course, knew the story.  Although he had only seen the "Wise One" once at a Distance, he felt that such an Intellect could Set the Course of his Life with Ease.  It was decided, he would Search for this Eminent Sage of Great Wisdom, and seek his Council.

He Told Family and Friends nothing of this Decision.  "Just a Short Camping Trip, by Myself, to Clear My Head and plan out the future."  Although it was an Unusual and Odd Proclamation, his Parents and other Adults in his life did not seek to Dissuade him. "Ah, Youth", his Uncle had said, "it will do as it will, and live with the Consequences."

The Young Man planned his Trip as carefully as possible.  Although he wanted to keep the Real Reason behind the Trip a Secret, the seeming Impetuousness of this sudden change in Personality Puzzled those who knew him.  

"Where will you go," They asked, "how long will you be gone," They Continued, "What if you are Hurt or Injured, what will you do?" and so it went, question after question.

The Young Man Answered Their Concerns as Best he could.  In Fact, if he had not shown such Intelligence and Ability at a Young Age, it was almost certain that he would have been prevented, Physically, from pursuing a Solitary Trip into the Wilderness.

However, his Reputation for keeping a Level Head, and Thinking before Acting, separated him from other Men and Women his age.  While Immaturity and the Desire for a "GOOD TIME", had Derailed many future plans of other Classmates, he had Stayed the Course, and earned a Reputation for Sensibility at a Young Age.

It soon became Mid- Summer, and the Time for his Departure came near. The Young Man prepared his Supplies of Food, Water and Medicine carefully, just enough for him to carry comfortably. He knew that Foraging for Food at this time of Year would be easy, and the Numerous Streams that Dotted the Landscape would prevent any possibility of Him Suffering from the Debilitating Symptoms of Thirst.

The Morning of Departure Arrived, and with a Brief Good- Bye, Together with an Admonishment by his Family to be careful, he set off.

END PT 2.

LOGIC. IT'S NOT JUST FOR VULCANS, AND VIEWERS OF "THE BIG BANG THEORY." #6. SHELDON AND HIS MOTHER- POST HOC, ERGO PROPTOR HOC, AND THE FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION. PT 2.

This is an excellent example, to put the spotlight on a common misconception; Logic, Science, The Scientific Method etc., are ANTI- RELIGION.  Further, that they promote ATHEISM, and deny the existence of a SPIRIT WORLD, and the SUPERNATURAL.  

This ties into another example of FALLACY OF TRUTH BY ASSOCIATION.

In the scene, listen carefully to what Sheldon says.  He never asserts that praying for his safety was in any way ineffective or, that to do so could have no effect on the outcome of the trip.

He just pointed out, quite correctly, that his Mother reached a conclusion that was Logically Invalid.  However, many people of faith equate this criticism with ATHEISTIC IDEOLOGY.  Yet, just because an Atheist would agree with Sheldons assessment, it does not follow that ONLY ATHEISTS would reach the same conclusion.

This is an example of  Fallacy Of Truth By Association;  ANY CONCLUSION REACHED BY AN INDIVIDUAL, THAT IS ALSO SHARED BY MEMBERS OF A CERTAIN GROUP, INDICATES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST BE PART OF THAT GROUP.

Consider the following scenarios;  In the first example, we will imagine a conversation that includes Sheldon as an Atheist, in the second he will indicate no specific religious beliefs.

Dialogue from the episode: "THE ELECTRIC CAN OPENER FLUCTUATION."                                               

"No mother, I could not feel your church group praying for my safety.  The fact that I'm home safe does not prove that it worked, that logic is Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc."

 #1                                                                        #2

                                                                                 

SHELDON THE ATHEIST.                                   SHELDON THE UNCOMMITTED.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

"MOM, HOW COULD PRAYING                       "WELL MOM, I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT.

HELP ME IN ANY WAY? IT                               HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS AN EXPRESSION

ASSUMES THE EXISTENCE                            OF FAITH, THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW IF

OF A SUPREME BEING THAT                          IT HAD ANY AFFECT."

CAN CONTROL THE FORCES

OF NATURE."

TO BE CONTINUED...