LOGIC. THE FALLACY OF THE EXCLUDED MIDDLE, OR THE "ALL OR NOTHING" MINDSET. PT 1.

Perhaps the best way to Introduce this Common Logical Fallacy, is to take an example from everyday life. Why? Because in one Form, it is an Insidious Example of Psychological Blackmail.

-  Person # 1-  "I know John Doe is your friend, but every Time I Talk to him, he puts me down and Insults my Career Choice."

-  Person # 2-  "You just don't get it.  Its his way of Socializing.  He doesn't mean it.  Just Ignore Him, and he'll stop."

-  Person # 1-  "I've Tried that, but he won't stop. You and I have been friends for a long Time, but I don't want to Deal with him anymore.  If you are going to meet him, I can't come with you.  He doesn't Treat me Right, and I won't give him the chance to Ruin my Night."

Person # 2-  "So that's it Huh?  I have to give up John as a Friend, or you and I can't hang out anymore?  How  Immature."

Person # 1-  "I never said that.  All I said was that I don't want to be around John, because of the way he treats me. We can still do things Together.  We're still Friends."

Person # 2-  "No Way.  John is my Friend, and we get along just find.  I don't know what your problem is, but if you don't like John, than it means you don't really like me.  Either your Johns Friend Too, and we can all hang out together, or your not. If you don't like Him, it really means you Hate us both."

Does this sound Familiar?  How many of you have had such a conversation in the past?  Well, it may be Little Comfort, but at least the Irrationality of such Thinking can give a little Solace.  What do I Mean?

See Part 2.

FEATURE ARTICLES. THE SOCIOPATH- A DANGER ALL AROUND US. PT 33.

(Stepping away from our Fictional Example again, to answer another question.)

Now some of you may be saying; "I KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS JUST LIKE THAT, BUT I'VE SEEN THEM CRY.  THEY PLAY AND DOTE ON THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEY SEEM TO BE A REAL ASSET TO THEIR EMPLOYER.  SO I GUESS THEY'RE NOT TRUE SOCIOPATHS."

Here is a Partial List of Traits that have been Indicative of THE SOCIOPATH.

(Reprinted from Part 1.)

• Uses others as tools to satisfy individual desires.
• Lacks remorse or empathy for the pain and suffering they cause to others.
• Has a Grandiose, Inflated self-image that makes them feel like they are the center of the universe.
• Enjoys Deceiving and Manipulating people, often for no other reason then a sense of power.
• Positive words such as Dignity, Honor and Duty or negative words such as Cruelty, Prejudice and Suffer are meaningless. They represent concepts foreign to the Sociopath.

So what can you do if someone seems to Possess One, Two, or a Few of the Traits that are ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOCIOPATH, BUT DOES NOT EXHIBIT OTHER TELL TALE BEHAVIORS.

There are other RECOGNIZED PERSONALITY DISORDERS, THAT OFTEN EXHIBIT SOME OF THE PERSONALITY TRAITS OF THE SOCIOPATH.

NARCISSISM.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

-  EXCESSIVE BELIEF IN YOUR OWN IMPORTANCE.

-  COME ACROSS AS EXTREMELY CONCEITED

AND PRETENTIOUS.

-  A BELIEF THAT YOU DESERVE SPECIAL TREATMENT,

OR REWARDS, JUST BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE, NOT

FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

-  REACT WITH AN UNREASONABLE DEGREE OF ANGER,

OR VERY CONFRONTATIONAL, IF YOU DO NOT GET WHAT 

YOU WANT.

-  DO NOT TAKE CRITICISM WELL, NO MATTER HOW IT IS

OFFERED, OR IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES.

-  BEHAVIOR OFTEN MASKS FEELINGS OF INFERIORITY,

WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS OF RAGE

AGAINST THOSE WHO CRITICIZE YOU.

As you can see, THE NARCISSIST IS VERY QUICK TO PLAY THE 

"VICTIM," AND LIKE THE SOCIOPATH, BELIEVE IN THEIR OWN

SUPERIORITY.

to be continued....

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #4.

As we Analyze the DISCIPLINES OF LOGIC, AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, ONE THING BECOMES PERFECTLY CLEAR:

That when used properly, THE TWO ARE SO SIMILAR AS TO MAKE THEM ALMOST INTERCHANGEABLE.  AT NO TIME CAN WE SAY THAT THE RULES OF ONE STANDS IN CONTRADICTION TO THE OTHER. The Ultimate Goal of each is to find "TRUTH", either as an "ABSOLUTE" which cannot be Reasonably Denied, OR THE Most "PROBABLE" According to the Information given.

As we have seen throughout World History, understanding the UNIVERSE AND THE NATURAL WORLD BECAME EASIER, AND MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL FOR MANKIND, AS THE PROCESS CALLED THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD REPLACED SYSTEMS BASED ON SUPERNATURAL BELIEFS. NO LONGER DID MAN JUST ACCEPT HIS FATE, COUNTING ON FAITH AND DOGMATIC ACCEPTANCE TO EXPLAIN THE JOYS AND MISERIES THAT WERE INFLICTED UPON HIM BY A MYSTERIOUS AND UNKNOWABLE UNIVERSE.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD became the TOOL THAT ALLOWED HUMANITY TO NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD, BUT ALSO TO ANTICIPATE, CONTROL, AND CULTIVATE CERTAIN SUBSTANCES AND SPECIFIC PHENOMENA FOUND IN NATURE TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL. For this to happen, Two things had to occur:

1)  Convincing Ecclesiastic Authorities that CONCEPTS OF GOD, AND THE SPIRITUAL WORLD, WERE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE FROM FORMING AND CREATING SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES.  YOU COULD HAVE FAITH, DEVOTION, AND OBEDIENCE TO THE DEITY AND SCRIPTURE OF YOUR CHOICE, WITHOUT ABANDONING INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RATIONAL INQUIRY. 

2)  THAT SCIENCE, ITS METHODOLOGY, RULES, AND GOALS MUST HAVE UNIQUE AND UNALTERABLE RULES THAT WOULD MAKE UP THE FOUNDATION AND CORE OF THIS NEW DISCIPLINE.

ENTER LOGIC, AND ITS LAWS.

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.