There are times when you strongly believe in the concept of leap of faith. It is interesting how everything gets explained away under the broad umbrella of faith. But when do you take this leap? Retrospectively, everything makes sense. Anyway, that's just the basic line of thought that's been occupying my mind today.
Apart from that, I discovered the Strawman argument today. It is a weirdly happy feeling when one gets to finally define something which has happened to you so succinctly. In this case, it was wonderful to find that term that defines a person's style of argument. I am sure I've come across many people dishing out arguments doused in logical fallacies. Heck, I am sure I've dished a good many out on my own in order to win an argument. But this one person has forever taken words out of context, built a weaker, more vague argument similar to my position which was quite irrefutable and turned it against me. As I was reading the wikipedia entry (yes, you know, your go-to guide on all things new), it was almost like experiencing an a-ha moment after each sentence. As much joy as this whole discovery afforded me, I realised that it came a bit too late. But heck, next time I can call it when I see it! Or just stay away from people too friendly with the strawmen.
Labels: discovery, people, strawmen |
Hi, I was just flipping through the list of bloggers who like photography and came across your profile, but the main reason I came to your blog was because you like "going bonkers". Hah! :)
Anyway, about "strawman" arguments, I thought you might like to know that as someone who often comments on article comment threads in the British press I've often seen that term used, not so much because the argument WAS a strawman one, but because what the accuser really means is "I don't agree with you."
It's been so used and abused that it has now become meaningless in Britain. Same for calling someone a "troll" or a "fascist" or something. They just mean "I don't agree with your point of view."
Oh well, worse things happen at sea I suppose, and may I wish you an excellent day from France.
Frip