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Conspiracy theories supported by logical fallaciesFrom: Steven
Subject: Practice
Date/Time 2010-07-24 18:32:35
Remote IP: 74.235.129.241
Message(Response to post "not paranoia at all" below)
I'm not sticking my head in the sand as you imply.
It's just that these conspiracy theories are hedged by
logical fallacies . . . very clever ones mind you, but
logical fallacies nonetheless.
In particular, the wide range of this conspiracy, which
ultimately becomes some kind of fanatical conservatism is filled
with "guilt-by-association" and non-sequitur fallacies.
If we take the last article for example, basically it says:
Betty Friedan promoted feminism.
Betty Friedan believed feminism helps the communist agenda.
Communism is bad.
Therefore feminism is bad.
To understand why this a logical fallacy,
consider the following "argument":
The internet helps stalkers do their stalking.
Stalkers are bad.
Therefore the internet is bad.
Just because STALKERS find that the internet helps their goals,
and since we don't want to help stalkers, does not mean that
therefore we should view the internet as a force for "badness".
In the same way, just because the BANKING CARTEL finds that
feminism and gay rights helps their goals, and since we
don't want to help the banking cartel, does not mean that
therefore we should view feminism and gay rights as bad.
The flaw in the reasoning is to take the precedent out of context
and only consider possible negative consequences,
ignoring positive consequences . . .
which in many cases outweigh the negative ones.
Another example (same idea) of a flawed argument in this style:
Wood stoves cause air pollution.
Air pollution is bad.
Therefore, wood stoves are bad.
OK, we don't want air pollution, but is that any reason to
be against wood stoves? Especially when you consider all
of the benefits, such as LESS pollution than the energy budget
from refinement of gas for a gas stove, the fact that the
cost to heat a small cabin over the winter is cheaper, and
the wood stove keeps you warm. Not so cut and dried.
Basically, these are all "guilt-by-association" logical fallacies,
and is the flavor of the articles by Henry Makow etc, so
I stand by my previous comments about him being a misogynistic
homophobe (in my opinion).
Many of the other logical fallacies are simple non-sequiturs, i.e.
A DOES NOT IMPLY B flaws. The reason why people haven't
"connected the dots" is because there aren't dots to connect!
This is ultimately why I don't worry about conspiracies.
Because I know in my heart of hearts that if it is really involved
and it is really secret, then probably it is hedged by faulty
logic, and not worth worrying about.
Every conspiracy does have a germ of truth, and I do think
that there is a banking cartel whose goal is power; but extensions
beyond that to pornography, gender roles, feminism, gay rights, etc.
I do NOT believe.
In any action, I ask myself whether or not it helps to empower
people and whether or not it is heart-centered . . . and guess what
I think treating women equally and treating homosexuals equally
satisfies both of those bills, so that IN ITSELF tells me that
"the application of the conspiracy to these realms" is
fear-mongering.
In fact, one could argue that the mantra against feminism and
against gay rights as purported by the conspiracy sayers (i.e.
Henry Makow) is conservative fear of change . . . AND FEAR
IN GENERAL is one of the tools used by groups over the millennia
to get people to give up their rights to oppressive regimes.
In other words, I could argue that FEAR about feminism and gay rights
could equally well be used by the BANKING CARTEL for its goals of
getting people to give up their power for security.
The solution I think to all conspiracies is to take actions
in everyday life that increase people's self-empowerment,
compassion, and connection to their heart, and not worry about
whether you can discover (or debunk) intricate conspiracy claims.
I'm not naive enough to think that this post will convince
anyone not to believe in their favorite XYZ conspiracy, but
maybe to use the above guidance of self-empowerment and compassion
to be a guiding star. Spending time trying to root out
flawed logic is not really necessary; connection to the heart is.
Steven
- Conspiracy theories supported by logical fallacies: (318) Steven (1678) - (Training Log) - 2010-07-24 6:32 pm
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