Etiquette



DP Etiquette

First rule: Don't be a jackass.

Other rules: Do not attack or insult people you disagree with. Engage with facts, logic and beliefs. Out of respect for others, please provide some sources for the facts and truths you rely on if you are asked for that. If emotion is getting out of hand, get it back in hand. To limit dehumanizing people, don't call people or whole groups of people disrespectful names, e.g., stupid, dumb or liar. Insulting people is counterproductive to rational discussion. Insult makes people angry and defensive. All points of view are welcome, right, center, left and elsewhere. Just disagree, but don't be belligerent or reject inconvenient facts, truths or defensible reasoning.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Circular reasoning

Circular reasoning (Latin: circulus in probando, "circle in proving";[1] also known as circular logic) is a logical fallacy in which the reasoner begins with what they are trying to end with.[2] The components of a circular argument are often logically valid because if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. Circular reasoning is not a formal logical fallacy but a pragmatic defect in an argument whereby the premises are just as much in need of proof or evidence as the conclusion, and as a consequence the argument fails to persuade. Other ways to express this are that there is no reason to accept the premises unless one already believes the conclusion, or that the premises provide no independent ground or evidence for the conclusion.

Example #1:
Pvt. Joe Bowers: What are these electrolytes? Do you even know?
Secretary of State: They're... what they use to make Brawndo!
Pvt. Joe Bowers: But why do they use them to make Brawndo?
Secretary of Defense: [raises hand after a pause] Because Brawndo's got electrolytes.
Explanation: This example is from a favorite movie of mine, Idiocracy, where Pvt. Joe Bowers (played by Luke Wilson) is dealing with a bunch of not-very-smart guys from the future.  Joe is not getting any useful information about electrolytes, no matter how hard he tries.
Example #2:
The Bible is the Word of God because God tells us it is... in the Bible.
Explanation: This is a very serious circular argument on which many people base their entire lives.  This is like getting an e-mail from a Nigerian prince, offering to give you his billion dollar fortune -- but only after you wire him a “good will” offering of $50,000.  Of course, you are skeptical until you read the final line in the e-mail that reads “I, prince Nubadola, assure you that this is my message, and it is legitimate.  You can trust this e-mail and any others that come from me.”  Now you know it is legitimate... because it says so in the e-mail.
https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/tools/lp/Bo/LogicalFallacies/66/Circular-Reasoning

Circular Reasoning Has Ruined Discussion

Circular Logic in Religion

In certain religions, circular reasoning is just commonplace. In Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, for example, the Bible or the Quran is the word of God because the same book says it is the word of God. The argument is simply using the source itself to justify its status.

Circular Logic in Politics

In politics, circular reasoning exists heavily on both sides and is a constant in the political landscape. From views of how the government functions to social issues to political leanings, politicians find circular reasoning to be among the most useful when it comes to making their claims and standing on their rock solid foundation.
When two opposing political views interact, the aggressive and circular arguments fly and neither side is willing to give up and attempt to understand the other. The following are common examples in the political scene:
  • Our second amendment rights are absolute, therefore gun control laws are illegal.
  • Affirmative Action can never be fair or just. You cannot remedy one injustice by committing another.
  • The news is fake because so much of the news is fake.
  • Smoking pot should be illegal, because it is against the law.
Now to reveal a truth, all four of those examples are actual quotes from politicians and political leaders. To be honest, it was difficult boiling it down to four. But notice how reasoning and real understanding is thrown out the window in favor of creating confusion and misunderstanding. Politicians are masterminds at avoiding deep dives and creating an atmosphere that creates more questions than it does answer any questions.

Eliminating Circular Reasoning From Our Lives

Circular reasoning is simply a crutch, and it handicaps us. This logic pretends to know everything and disallows us from actually learning and growing. Romain Rolland from his book Above the Battle pointed to the following truth;
“Discussion is impossible with someone who claims not to seek the truth, but already to possess it.”
The beauty of discussion is that, by its very definition, we are to process things together in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. Circular reasoning is the opposite of what makes a discussion wonderful. It is not about processing. It is not about reaching a decision. It is not about exchanging ideas. And the saddest part, it is not about togetherness.
We have to stand against this. In order for the world to truly grow and learn to better understand each other, we must humbly enter conversations with a mind that does not have all of the answers, but instead, a heart that desires to bond with the person across from us. For this to happen, though, eliminating circular reasoning from our vernacular is absolutely needed.
Instead of all of us having our own truths, let us strive forward seeking truth together always with a mind and heart that is ready to learn, grow, and even be challenged.
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