Blog Archives

Genetic Fallacy: Asserting that something is nothing more than what it was when it was first made or created. Refutation: Things are defined by what they are currently. Example –  Abby: Bob, contraceptive use does not prevent babies. What is … Continue reading →

Posted on January 18, 2013 by admin Jim | Leave a comment

Refraction (Bent Thinking) #9: Chronological Snobbery : Asserting that something is bad or good because it is either old or new. Refutation:  The soundness of an argument is not time- bound. It is just like math. A well formulated equation … Continue reading →

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin Jim | Leave a comment

Refraction (Bent Thinking) #7 Appeal To Pity:  Attempting to stir up pity in the hearer, and having done so, ignores other, possibly more relevant considerations.   Refutation: Recognize and acknowledge  the value of compassion and empathy, then point out that it … Continue reading →

Posted on December 2, 2012 by admin Jim | Leave a comment

Refraction (Bent Thinking) #4 Group Think Fallacy:  Making a claim that a collective of people all think a certain way.  This is one very big error that people make on a regular basis.  Refutation: Communities or collectives of people cannot … Continue reading →

Posted on November 29, 2012 by admin Jim | Leave a comment

Refraction (Bent Thinking) #3 Straw Man Straw Man Argument (Fallacy Of Extension/Caricature Fallacy) =  Taking what someone thinks is a weakness in the other person’s argument and blowing it out of proportion, then acting like this “caricature” is the real … Continue reading →

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin Jim | Leave a comment

Refraction (Bent Thinking) # 2 Psychogenetic Fallacy: Rejecting an argument just because you do not like the associations of the speaker or because you know their mindset on matters in general. (e.g. “I disagree with John Behner’s solution to the … Continue reading →

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin Jim | 1 Comment