Crimes Against Logic: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders.CRIMES AGAINST LOGIC: Exposing the Bogus Arguments of Politicians, Priests, Journalists, and Other Serial Offenders JAMIE WHYTE With a wry wit, Britain-based philosopher Whyte considers how "authorities" on any number of subjects regularly present "facts" based on faulty logic. While many people react to such affronts with cynicism Cynicism See also Pessimism. Antisthenes (444–371 B. C.) Greek philosopher and founder of Cynic school. [Gk. Hist.: NCE, 121] Apemantus churlish, sarcastic advisor of Timon. [Br. Lit. , others remain hopelessly gullible gul·li·ble adj. Easily deceived or duped. [From gull2.] gul . The author instructs both groups how to recognize the errors in reasoning they commonly encounter. Using examples drawn from current politics, theology, and business, Whyte points out 12 fallacies This is a list of fallacies. Formal fallacies Formal fallacies are arguments that are fallacious due to an error in their form or technical structure.
intr.v. e·quiv·o·cat·ed, e·quiv·o·cat·ing, e·quiv·o·cates 1. To use equivocal language intentionally. 2. To avoid making an explicit statement. See Synonyms at lie2. , use jargon and other empty words Noun 1. empty words - loud and confused and empty talk; "mere rhetoric" empty talk, hot air, palaver, rhetoric hokum, meaninglessness, nonsense, nonsensicality, bunk - a message that seems to convey no meaning , and make inconsistent statements in presenting a case for a belief they hold. Because such tactics can confuse, if not dupe, people, whyte proposes that no one has the right to spout nonsense. The "right to an opinion" doesn't cover giving wrong information, he holds. Originally published in the United Kingdom in 2003. McGraw Hill, 2005, 157 p., paperback, $12.95. |
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