Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Logical Fallacy - Some Examples

Going through my files, the other day, I came across a little debate I had back in 2001.  I think it is a great example of logical fallacies as often employed by "relativists". 

Below I post an op -ed published in the local newspaper on February 11, 2001.  Those were the "happy" days before 9/11; when it seemed America's biggest challenge was education.  Ah those were the days. 

I did not send my response to the newspaper, it exceeded the word count limit.  I did mail it to the "Guest Commentator.  He did not respond, but I have it on good authority he did read it to at least on of his classes. 

 
 
 

 

 
 


7 comments:

BDH said...

Lysis,
I agree with your thoughts and find your approach to his errors a little amusing. Thankfully you were a little light handed in your approach and not overly deragatory toward him personally (ad hominem). I can't help but point out the apparent misspelled word on page 2 of your response. In the second paragraph, line 8; differed is used instead of deferred(?). Hmm, I'm pondering over whether this was an oversight, or if it provides additional credibility to your arguments by strengthening your claim of inability to spell correctly?

Anonymous said...

Lysis said:

BDH

Thank you for your comment. I am pleased that I never claimed any link between spelling and the veracity of one’s arguments. When I was a debate coach I was teased by my students for my spelling errors. My canned response was, “When you can beat my arguments, correct my spelling.” It got me by.

Last summer I read The Soul of Battle by Victor Davis Hanson. Among the three great Generals that Hanson credits as Great Liberators who Vanquished Tyranny was George Patton. I have long been a fan of General Patton – now more that every – but I was especially gratifying to read this in Hansen’s book: “Most modern biographers note that Patton suffered from a crippling dyslexia that made even the spelling of the simplest words almost impossible. He nevertheless managed to graduate in 1909, 46th in a class of 103, without special tutorials or even recognition of his affliction.”(pgs. 273-274)

I would never condemn the good professor for a spelling error – any more than he should President Bush – it was the hypocrisy of the claims that I felt worth pointing out. I admit up front that I cannot spell; I hope I have demonstrated that I can reason.

BDH said...

Lysis,
Your logic is well documented. I always look at life somewhat tongue-in-cheek and found your arguments well thought out and interesting; and with the spelling, a little humorous.

Dan said...

I had Prof Vernezze. For the most part, I enjoyed his intro to Philosophy class, but he was incredibly pompous. This article sounds just like I remember him. I've always found it unfortunate when an educator feels the need to prove that he is smarter than his students.

My only problem with your otherwise wonderful response was this, "at a school with no entrance standards whatsoever". I've never understood your seeming pathological need to denegrate Weber State. It is an incredibly good University.

While other students at more 'prestigious' Universities were still sitting in their massive auditoriums listening with hundreds of others to a Prof lecture who will invariably refer them to one of his graduate assistants with any questions, I was forming personal relationships with PhD's in my field of study in classes of less than 15.

The difference between a Professor who is there to teach, and a Professor who is there to research, and thus is forced to teach, cannot be overlooked. One of them may discover some new doo dad, but I'd rather be in the other's class anyday.

Lysis said...

Dan,
Let me begin by admitting that there are many fine professors at Weber State. I will further admit that the smartest person I know, my wife, graduated from that institution with an excellent education.

Second, I believe that the prestige of the university has little to do with the quality of education one receives by attending. One’s education is one’s own responsibility, and caring teachers are more important than “famous” ones.

As a teacher at a particularly non prestigious high school, I have been delighted to witness many of my students earn wonderful educations and go on to accomplish wonderful things. This is to their credit.

However – this does not change the fact that Weber State has practically no admittance standards, and it is a bit absurd for Professor Vernezze to condemn Harvard and Yale for allowing George Bush to attend, as if they were thus lowering their standards.

That was my hoped for observation, my opinion of Weber State, whatever it may be, was not what I wished to convey.

MindMechanic said...

Verbal gaffes and and grammatical faux pas are commonplace for ALL public speakers. So too are excursions into that fine line between a lie and a political 'promise'. Politicians are salesman after all and like statisticians, their words are usually offered through the filters they apply that make them 'true'.

One can only wonder what Mr Vernezze might write about President Obama's gaffes or for that matter...VP Biden's. Except of course...it is unlikely that he WOULD.

I was going to make a snarky comment about how the world will remember George Bush throughout history as a businessman, governor, and president and has likely never heard of Peter Vernezze. Bush's acheivements could at LEAST be described as "not bad", especially for someone who was in the eyes of Vernezze, uneducated. But then I thought...yikes...what if this guy turns out to be a world renowned scholar that is saving and changing lives. Yikes...I should check. So a quick Google search and I DO find him. He DOES fancy himself as a philosopher and educator...but the majority of his comments from his students are less than complimentary.

"Awful. He really didn't seem to like teaching the class very much. He was annoyed when students asked questions. Luckily, he's gone now. Weber State can hire a philosophy professor who likes what he does."

"This guy sucks, doesn't take criticism from students at all. He is rude to student's who do criticize his teaching. Atleast 80% of my class never gets above 50 % on tests or quizzes. Do not take classes from him."

"I love philosophy and thought I understood everything I was reading, but then Dr. Vernezze would explain it and it was completely incomprehensible. Biased, and rude about it. Gets really angry if he is challenged."

And that is just a 'recap.' But hey...not bad for a guy who has ended up as a contributor to a rather poorly written and unimaginative blog that centers on hooking up with Asian chicks (Chinese Love Match).

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