February 27, 2008
No answers for unsound arguments
Ah, our righteousness when we firmly believe the fallacy of our arguments. For Mr. Shevlin, I offer these responses with hope that he recognizes the flaws in his logic. First, a definition of fallacy so he might understand where he started to go wrong. A fallacy is erroneous reasoning that renders unsound arguments. His letter exemplifies fallacy. First he argues, illogically, that Muslim extremists killing one another, rather than targeting our troops, is reason enough to continue wasting American lives, despite his own assertion that Islam is fundamentally and historically violent. His evidence demonstrates the uselessness of our presence. Next, he adds a completely unrelated statement about Lutherans and Catholics. Is it to confuse us or simply a demonstration of his own confusion? I have no idea.
Next, he begins asking pointless, rhetorical questions. Why don’t Muslims unite against American troops? It’s a non-issue, a fallacy, that deceives the reader into believing Muslim against Muslim violence relates somehow to the necessity of our involvement in a problem he asserts cannot be resolved. I don’t have the foggiest idea of his point. Then, he attacks N.O.W., an organization concerned with the treatment of women… in the US. They aren’t the International Organization for Women. There is an apparent liberal tendency to work on improving issues in the homeland before solving the world’s problems. It’s my only response to his obvious concern for women all across the world.
Finally, he won’t get started on the “hypocrisy of race relations,” then he does. Somehow, black leaders are solely responsible for bringing racial issues to the forefront. Apparently they have answers outside of general improvement in social welfare for citizens of the US. Perhaps I’m mistaken, maybe if we create equality we’ll still hear tired racial bitching from people who are, in reality, unconcerned. I suppose this is an attempt to discredit Obama’s presidential run by feigning concern for the rights of minorities.
I apologize, Mr. Shevlin, for not answering your questions, but why ask them when you obviously know the answers? I just hope that the next time a professor’s negative responses to your arguments elicits a feeling of persecution toward your beliefs, you recognize the flaws in your logic. I hope this helps you. It’s certainly helped me to see how strongly people hold convictions despite contrary evidence or the lack of sound reasoning.
Joe Sampsel
Junior, social Work
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Comments
Candidate for letter of the semester!
And Shevlin can go sit down now. K thnx.
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 03/03/2008 at 6:17 am
