THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? #5.

It is VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD COULD NOT EXIST AS A VALID, TESTABLE, 

AND RELIABLE PROCESS, WITHOUT THE RULES OF LOGIC BEING ITS

BASIC FOUNDATION. IF CERTAIN CONCEPTS SUCH AS DEDUCTIVE AND 

INDUCTIVE REASONING WERE NOT SET IN PLACE, AND USED IN A 

MANNER THAT WAS BOTH APPROPRIATE AND UNDERSTANDABLE, THE

SCIENTIFIC METHOD COULD NOT EXIST IN THE FORM WE USE IT TODAY.

The Things we take for granted Today, Advancements that make Life EASIER, SAFER, AND LONGER ARE THE RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRINCIPLES THAT ALLOW US TO REMOVE MUCH, IF NOT ALL, OF THE "GUESS WORK" THAT USE TO BE THE LARGEST PART OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, PREDICT, AND IF POSSIBLE, CONTROL THE WORLD AROUND US.

How many Times have you heard the Following:

-  TRIAL AND ERROR.-  OR, CREATE A HYPOTHESIS THAT SEEMS TO BE INDICATED BY THE EVIDENCE GIVEN. BREAK IT DOWN, MAKE SURE YOUR PREMISES ARE SOUND, AND SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION. DOES IT WORK? DOES IT WITHSTAND SCRUTINY? IF NOT, TRY AGAIN.

-  FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE.-  IF IT TAKES YOU IN ONE DIRECTION, FOLLOW

IT.  MAYBE IT'S NOT THE WAY YOU EXPECT, OR EVEN WANT, BUT TRUTH 

DOES NOT DEPEND ON YOUR FEELINGS, OR EGO. 

-  HASTE MAKES WASTE.-  CONSIDER ALL THE EVIDENCE, NOT JUST THE PORTION THAT SUPPORTS A PRE- CONCEIVED CONCLUSION.  ANALYZE ALL THE PREMISES, DISCARD WHAT DOESN'T FIT, THAN REEVALUATE. 

-  PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.-  IF YOUR GOAL IS TRUTH AND ACCURACY, SLOW AND STEADY MAY WIN THE RACE.                                                     

While you may have never associated these Phrases with SCIENCE AND EDUCATION, THEY CAN BE USED TO REPRESENT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD.  HOWEVER, THE REASON THAT THEY MAKE SO MUCH SENSE TO US IN PRACTICAL TERMS, IS THAT THEY FORCE US TO UNDERSTAND AND OBEY THE RULES OF LOGIC...             

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., is ANTI- RELIGION.  Further, that it promotes ATHEISM, and denies 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 affect 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...

LOGIC. THE FALLACY OF THE EXCLUDED MIDDLE, OR THE "ALL OR NOTHING" MINDSET. PT 2.

From this example, we can see one way that this Fallacy is used by the Selfish and the Self- Centered.

Here is a Practical Definition, that we can use in other Situations;

The FALLACY OF THE EXCLUDED MIDDLE IS: A JUDGMENT THAT ONLY TWO OPINIONS ON ANY SUBJECT ARE POSSIBLE OR VALID, AND THEY BOTH LIE AT OPPOSITE EXTREMES.  THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND, AND NO ROOM FOR CORRECTION, COMPROMISE, OR ADAPTATION. (My Definition).

Here is an example that will further shed light on this Fallacy;

CONSPIRACY THEORIES-  Alien Visitations from other Planets.

Person #1-  "While the Laws of Probability may Indicate that INTELLIGENT LIFE EVOLVED on other Worlds, there is no Practical, Verifiable or Testable Evidence that such Life Forms have visited this Planet."

Person #2-  "Typical Response from someone who doesn't realize that Government

has covered up such Visitations, that is why there is no Evidence for us to Examine."

Person #1-  "What makes you Believe that ALL the Evidence has been Hidden or Destroyed by Government.  I Mean, why should we believe what you say is True, when all you really HAVE IS ACCUSATIONS AND STATEMENTS BACKED UP BY NOTHING ELSE."

Person #2-  "Everyone Knows the Government covers up things like this, to Prevent People from Panicking.  If you don't realize that, then your just another Lamb to be led to the Slaughter, Someone who believes everything our so called Elected Officials Tell Us."

Here is the FALLACY FROM THE ABOVE EXAMPLE. 

THERE ARE ONLY TWO POSSIBILITIES;  EITHER YOU BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT COVERS UP ALL ALIEN VISITATIONS, OR YOU ARE DELUDED ENOUGH TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH ABOUT ANYTHING GOVERNMENT TELLS YOU.

Do you see the Problem? 

See PT 3.

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.