posted
I don't know if this has been posted before, but I was paging through Scott Adams' The Joy of Work and came across a section titled "You Are Wrong Because" that details the most common arguments made by irrational people.
I got quite a laugh, and saw so many of them directly in the light of Hatrack. I thought I'd share a handful that I thought had particular application...
quote:Amazingly Bad Analogy Example: You can train a dog to fetch a stick. Therefore, you can train a potato to dance.
Faulty Cause and Effect Example: On the basis of my observations, wearing huge trousers makes you fat.
I am the World Example: I don't listen to country music. Therefore, country music is not popular.
Ignoring Everything Science Knows about the Brain Example: People choose to be obese/gay/alcoholic because they prefer the lifestyle.
The Few are the Same as the Whole Example: Some Elbonians are animal rights activists. Some Elbonians wear fur coats. Therefore, Elbonians are hypocrites.
Generalizing from Self Example: I'm a liar. Therefore, I don't believe what you're saying.
Argument by Bizarre Definition Example: He's not a criminal. He just does things that are against the law.
Ignorance of statistics Example: I'm putting ALL of my money on the lottery this week because the jackpot is so big.
Substituting Famous Quotes for Common Sense Example: Remember, "All good things come to those who wait." So don't bother looking for a job.
Irrelevant Comparisons Example: A hundred dollars is a good price for a toaster, compared to buying a Ferrari.
Circular Reasoning Example: I'm correct because I'm smarter than you. And I must be smarter than you because I'm correct.
Incompleteness as Proof of Defect Example: Your theory of gravity doesn't address the question of why there are no unicorns, so it must be wrong.
Ignoring all Anecdotal Evidence Example: I always get hives immediately after eating strawberries. But withouta scientifically controlled experiment, it's not reliable data. So I continue to eat strawberries every day, since I can't tell if they cause hives.
Ignoring the Advice of Experts Without Good Reason Example: Sure, the experts think you shouldn't ride a bicycle into the eye of a hurricane, but I have my own theory.
Taking Things to Their Illogical Conclusion Example: If you let your barber cut your hair, the next thing you know he'll be lopping off your limbs!
quote:Overapplication of Occam's Razor (Which says that the simplest explanation is usually right) Example: The simplest explanation for the moon landings is that they were hoaxes.
posted
"If you don't know it already, I can't explain it to you." If I don't already know it, your statement is false. If I don't already believe it to be true, your opinion is wrong-headed. If I'm too lazy to research your statements, your thesis is both false and wrong-headed.
posted
I'm sure Bill O'Reilly could point out what is wrong with that book. It is probably just a elitist leftist book designed to make our precious youth give up their morality in the name of "logical discussion". And it is working. Look at the positive reaction it is getting from Hatrack!! Posts: 2445 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Blayne Bradley
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posted
you are wrong because I am right
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I remember reading Scott Adam's books in high school, they were always quite amusing, and back then to my high school brain even thought provoking.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Having worked in a cubicle-farm for the last 9 months, his humor has started to hit a little closer to home. But that list just screamed Hatrack to me, so I had to post it.
Posts: 3960 | Registered: Jul 2001
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