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.

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....